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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2000, OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-24346
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VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
DELAWARE 41-1461110
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. employer
of incorporation or organization) identification No.)
3100 WORLD TRADE CENTER 55101
30 EAST SEVENTH STREET (Zip Code)
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA
(Address of principal executive offices)
</TABLE>
(651) 312-2222
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: NONE
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
CLASS A COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YES X NO
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K.
Aggregate market value of registrant's voting stock held by non-affiliates
as of September 7, 2000: Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value: $4,624,431 based
on a closing price of $0.1719 per share.
Number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common
stock, as of August 15, 2000: Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value: 29,278,457
shares.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Note: The discussions in this Form 10-K contain forward looking statements
that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The actual results of Video Update,
Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") could differ significantly from those set
forth herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences
include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "Business" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" as
well as those discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Statements contained in
this Form 10-K that are not historical facts are forward looking statements that
are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. A number of important factors could cause the Company's
actual results for fiscal 2001 and beyond to differ materially from those
expressed or implied in any forward looking statements made by, or on behalf of,
the Company.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
Video Update, Inc. ("Video Update" or the "Company") owns and operates
video specialty stores throughout North America. As of April 30, 2000, the
Company owned and operated 586 stores located in 29 states and five provinces in
Canada and franchised 35 additional video specialty stores in the United States.
As of April 30, 2000, 420, or approximately 92%, of the Company's stores in the
United States, and 101, or approximately 80% of the Company's Canadian stores,
were superstores, defined as retail video stores that carry more than 10,000
rental units. The Company believes that, as of the end of its most recent fiscal
year, it is the fourth largest video specialty retailer in the United States and
the third largest video specialty retailer in Canada based on the number of
superstores it operates. Video Update stores in the United States and Canada
offer on average approximately 13,500 and 12,600 rental units, respectively,
including multiple copies of new and popular movie releases and video games, in
a visually appealing and customer friendly layout.
The Company franchised its first store in January 1983 and opened its first
Company-owned store in September 1989. By July 1994, when the Company completed
its initial public offering, it had grown to 15 Company-owned stores and 30
franchised stores. By the middle of the 1990's, the Company had developed a
superstore format that distinguished it from other video retailers. The format
provided the flexibility for the Company to expand into desirable sites in both
small and large markets without compromising profitability, or decreasing the
number of viable markets into which it could expand. Video Update subsequently
accelerated its growth, and in March 1998 acquired Moovies, Inc., a 267-unit
chain headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, for $79 million (including
the assumption of approximately $50 million in debt). During fiscal 2000, the
Company opened two new video superstores, purchased one franchise operation, and
closed 69 stores (see Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements: Note 3
"Moovies, Inc. Acquisition" and Note 4 "Provision for Store Closings and Other
Charges") for discussions on the store closings. Same store sales during fiscal
2000 decreased by approximately 6.6%.
As of August 15, 2000, the Company failed to make principal and interest
payments of approximately $6 million. Consequently, the Company is in default
under its senior credit facility (as further described herein, the "Senior
Facility"). In addition, the Company's ability to implement its operational and
business strategy described herein is extremely limited because the Company has
no available borrowings under its Senior Facility or any other similar facility.
Accordingly, the Company's available cash for operational activities is severely
restricted, and the Company likely will not be able to pursue its intended
operational and business strategies in a manner that would normally be possible
under circumstances in which the Company had not defaulted under the terms of
the Senior Facility. In addition, the lenders under the Senior Facility may, but
are not obliged to, take immediate legal action against the Company, including
but not limited to, acceleration of payment of all borrowed funds and such other
remedies as may be available under the loan documents or common or statutory
law. Under these circumstances, a number of the Company's contracts and supply
arrangements, including but not limited to its revenue sharing contracts, may be
subject to termination or re-negotiation. These circumstances likely will have a
material adverse effect on the Company's ability to increase revenues and income
and may, therefore, have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
The Company continues to evaluate opportunities to reduce costs and improve
revenues, although no assurances can be given that such actions will be
successful if implemented. In addition, it is evaluating various alternatives to
raise capital, including the possible sale of assets. Prior to any default under
the Senior Facility, the Company had endeavored to maintain satisfactory
relationships with its primary product vendors and had negotiated extended
payment terms with several of these vendors. No assurances can be given that the
Company will be able to maintain such relationships, although it continues to be
able to obtain product from various sources. Moreover, the loss of its primary
product vendors could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company
will continue to focus on reducing the aged accounts payable with payments, the
extension of terms, and negotiated settlements. If the Company is unable to
reduce the aged accounts payable to the satisfaction of the trade creditors, it
could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The
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Company is uncertain whether cash from operations, trade credits, equipment
leases, and available revenue sharing arrangements will be sufficient to fund
future inventory purchases and other working capital needs for the next twelve
months. If the Company is unable to obtain additional financing or maintain its
relationships with its vendors and trade creditors, the Company may be required
to reduce its overall expenditures and the Company's ability to maintain or
expand its current level of operations will be materially and adversely
affected.
Video Retail Industry Overview
The home video retail industry has experienced significant growth over the
last fifteen years. According to industry reports, gross U.S. rental revenues
have grown from approximately $2.6 billion in 1985 to more than $8.6 billion in
1999, an increase of 231%, or 15.4% annually. Paul Kagan Associates, Inc.
("Kagan"), an independent market research firm, estimates rental revenues will
increase an additional 15% to $9.9 billion by the year 2002. Convenience,
limited out-of-pocket expense, reliability, product availability and
satisfaction are all factors that make VCR's and video rentals the preferred
medium of entertainment for millions of customers. Nearly one quarter of all
Americans continue to make a trip to their video store at least once a week.
According to Kagan and the Electronics Industry Association ("EIA"), over
85% of the approximately 105 million American households owning televisions have
at least one VCR and over 40% of homes have two or more. Kagan and EIA
projections indicate that by 2005 over 91% of the 105 million American
households will have VCR's, with over 50% owning two or more.
According to the EIA, a record 18 million VCR decks and an additional 2.9
million combination TV/ VCR units were shipped in 1998. According to the
Consumer Electronics Association ("CEA"), VCR shipments increased 26% in 1999,
and combination TV/VCR unit shipments were up an impressive 40%.
The home video retail industry includes rentals and sales of both VHS movie
cassettes and the rapidly growing digital videodisc ("DVD") format. The consumer
market for the majority of video movies has primarily been a rental market.
Movie studios determine the suggested retail prices of videos and through their
pricing decisions, influence the relative levels of video rentals versus video
sales. Videos released at relatively high prices, typically $60 or more, are
generally low to middle dollar grossing theatrical box office performers (one
million to $40 million dollars) or direct-to-video productions with no
theatrical release. These releases make up the majority of new product and are
purchased by video retailers then made available exclusively through video
rentals. Exceptions to this "high price" rule exist primarily in the genres of
children and family product. The mass appeal and acceptance of such content
makes it attractive for mass merchants to purchase this product, therefore
enticing the movie studios to release it at a lower price (i.e. "Tarzan",
"Pokemon: The First Movie", and "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace").
Videos released at relatively low prices, typically $15 to $30, are generally
high grossing theatrical box office performers (over $40 million dollars). These
releases are purchased by video retailers for both sale and rental and may be
purchased by consumers at a variety of retail stores including video retailers,
mass merchants, electronic superstores, sell-through only music/video specialty
stores, grocery, convenience stores and various e-commerce sites. Low priced
releases are attractive rentals to the video retailer because of the relatively
few number of rentals required to recover their cost and provide a favorable
return despite the extra sales competition from other retail channels.
Exceptions to this "low price" rule exist when content is rated PG-13 or R and
mass merchants notify the studios that they will not purchase the title. This
exception is more frequent since a majority of high grossing theatrical releases
are often of the comedy, drama, action and horror genres that include content of
a mature adult theme. Most often, this mature theme makes them unacceptable for
sale in the mass merchant environment (i.e. "American Pie", "There's Something
About Mary" and "Saving Private Ryan"). These exceptions are attractive to video
retailers since the high box office performers initially are only available for
rent.
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Highly Fragmented Industry
The home video retail industry remains highly fragmented and has
experienced significant consolidation as unprofitable stores close and larger
regional and national superstore chains acquire smaller chains. As the regional
and national chains grow through acquisition and new store openings, they gain
market share and increase their operating leverage. Large superstore chains
provide a wider breadth and depth of videos for rent or sale, cost effective
advertising programs and better promotions to drive consumer traffic than
independent operators provide. They also enjoy the advantages of access to
working capital, marketing efficiencies, revenue sharing deals, title-depth
programs, cost saving direct purchasing programs with movie studios, operating
economies of scale and the ability to obtain superior retail locations. The
Company believes the industry consolidation will continue as large chains get
larger and small independent operators are forced to close or sell to a larger
player.
Video Stores are an Important Revenue Source for Studios
According to Kagan, the home video retail industry remains the largest
single source of revenue to movie studios accounting for approximately 50% of
movie studios' total revenues. Of the many movies produced by major studios and
released in the United States each year, relatively few are profitable for the
studios based on box office revenue alone. Video specialty stores are an
exceptionally important and reliable revenue source for studios since video
specialty stores typically purchase movies on video that were not as successful
at the box office in addition to purchasing box office hits. The Company
believes that the customer is more likely to view movies that were not box
office hits via rental (VHS or DVD) than on any other medium because video
specialty stores provide an inviting opportunity to browse and make an impulse
choice among a very broad selection of movie titles at a relatively low price.
The rapid acceptance and growth of the DVD format should increase this revenue
source to the studios. In addition, many of the major studios have entered into
revenue sharing arrangements and other title-depth programs with a few of the
larger national chains, including Video Update. The Company expects that such
revenue sharing arrangements and title-depth programs will allow retailers to
offer a greater quantity of titles to meet consumer demand, enhancing the
interdependent relationship between the studios and the larger national chains.
Emerging DVD Format
Following an extended period of dual format, the Company anticipates that
DVD's will eventually replace VHS videotapes as the new way of viewing
entertainment products. Kagan reports indicate DVD sales are rapidly increasing.
Over 31 million households are expected to own DVD hardware by 2005, up from 3.6
million in 1999.
While most of these DVD units will be additions to the 105 million VCR
households in 2005, the Company recognizes the 30% consumer acceptance rate of
this new technology as a large opportunity. Currently, Video Update rents DVD
video titles in over 50% of its stores and continues to add DVD rentals to
stores as the installed equipment base in any market drives product demand.
Despite the emergence of new competing technologies, there is little near-term
threat to the video home market and specialty retailer. New technologies face
the enormous hurdles of consumer acceptance, undefined technology costs, proven
delivery methods, and most importantly, the guarantee of replacing or improving
revenues to movie studios.
Distribution Channel for Studios
Historically, new technologies have led to the creation of additional
distribution channels for movie studios. Movie studios seek to maximize their
revenues by releasing movies in sequential release date "windows" to various
movie distribution channels. These distribution channels currently include, in
release date order, movie theaters, video specialty stores, pay-per-view
(cable/satellite), cable television, and foreign, network and syndicated
television. The Company believes that this method of sequential release has
allowed movie studios to increase their total revenue with relatively little
adverse effect on the revenue derived from previously established channels.
Furthermore, the Company believes that movie studios will continue the practice
of sequential release as new technology distribution channels become available.
Historically, movie
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studios provided an exclusive window on new releases for video specialty stores.
Today, the window is approximately 50 days long, down from about 56 days two
years ago. The shortened window benefits larger operators relative to smaller
chains and single store operators due to the large operators' significant copy
depth that more quickly satisfies consumer demand. In addition, the Company
believes that the length of time between the movie theater release date and the
release date to video specialty stores is getting shorter. The Company also
believes that studios are starting to bypass the movie theaters by releasing
high quality and popular movie sequels directly to video specialty stores.
The Company believes that the addition and eventual transition to the DVD
format should not greatly deviate from the movie studios' current practice with
respect to release guidelines or pricing strategy. Today, most DVD product is
being released on the same date ("day and date") as VHS cassettes at
sell-through prices that are approximately five to ten dollars higher than VHS
cassettes. This "day and date" strategy has led to increased sell-through
competition from mass merchants, electronic superstores, sell-through only
music/video specialty chains and e-commerce sites. Studios adopted this strategy
to encourage the consumer transition and price acceptance of this new
technology. There are no guarantees that this "day and date" sell-through price
strategy will continue but it has served to fuel DVD consumer interest and
enabled video retailers to add dual format rental inventory at a relatively low
cost. The Company supports this pricing practice but could easily accept a two
tier rental/sell-through strategy as currently exists in the VHS product lines.
A two-tier strategy would eliminate competitiveness from e-commerce companies.
Initially supporting only the rental of DVD, the Company has not experienced the
negative impact of deep discount retail pricing or loss leader pricing of
e-commerce. The rental of DVD product has provided the Company a return on
investment ("ROI") similar to VHS product.
Revenue Sharing Agreements
The Company has negotiated revenue sharing partnerships with several major
studios and most of the smaller studios to maximize its rental title depth,
while reducing its initial inventory investment. Revenue sharing typically
lowers the Company's initial cost of high priced rental product while sharing
the revenue of each new release rented over an approximate six month period with
the studios. This process compensates the studios as the Company generates
revenues. Low priced rental and sell-through products are purchased outright and
are not part of the revenue sharing process. In addition, the Company
acknowledges that most studios not participating in revenue sharing programs
have reduced initial costs of high priced new releases through various
title-depth programs to remain competitive and ensure representation on new
release shelves. The Company believes that small chains and single store owners
do not have the information reporting systems or distribution facilities
necessary to economically participate in direct studio relationships.
Furthermore, the Company is continually renegotiating the terms of various
revenue share programs to maximize return on investment and maintain appropriate
purchase to revenue ratios.
Over the past twelve months, the Company has renegotiated several revenue
share agreements resulting in improved revenue splits for the Company. In
addition, during the past twelve months, multiple new revenue share agreements
have been implemented under these more attractive terms. The Company has also
re-evaluated existing agreements with the major studios and has discontinued
"output" programs. An "output" program required that the Company carry every new
release distributed by the studio. It also requires a guaranteed amount of
revenue due the studio for each release. For high box office titles, the
"output" programs were generally profitable for the Company. However, mid to
lower box office titles often did not earn back the minimum guarantee and
actually increased the Company's costs.
"Non-output" agreements do not require the Company to stock every new
release from a studio, but instead permits the Company to either take a title in
depth through the "non-output" agreement, or purchase a title in lesser quantity
through a distributor. Even though the Company has reduced its participation
with major studio output programs, the Company has been able to supplement
title-depth by participating with more studios who do not require guarantees or
offer other cost saving title-depth programs.
The Company's two largest competitors, Blockbuster, Inc., a subsidiary of
Viacom, Inc. ("Blockbuster") and Hollywood Entertainment Corporation
("Hollywood"), have announced the opening of smaller size stores
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with limited catalog (older movie titles) and placing more emphasis on high
box-office releases (censored versions) obtained through revenue sharing
programs. Although revenue sharing remains a major component of the Company's
current purchase depth advantage over smaller chains and single storeowners, the
Company also increases revenues and maximizes profitability by providing product
not typically carried by its largest competitors. The Company's differentiated
product offering consists of the unrated or "Director's Cut" version of movies
(e.g. "American Pie") as well as mature content videos. The Company believes
that its unique product offerings help differentiate it from the competition and
provides it with a generally higher margin profile (higher ROI). Even with the
more mature content options cable and satellite TV programming offer, consumers
have displayed reluctance to freely allow access of this programming into their
homes. Video rentals and purchases provide a high consumer confidence level for
necessary parental control over choice of program content.
Not withstanding the foregoing, given the Company's current default under
the Senior Facility, no assurances can be given that the Company will be able to
maintain its revenue sharing partnerships on the current terms if at all.
Previously Viewed Tapes
The Company believes that its direct relationships with movie studios has
also strengthened its previously viewed tapes ("PVT") category. Through revenue
sharing agreements, the opportunity to purchase significantly more units,
especially high box-office releases, has allowed the Company to sell PVT to its
customers after it has recouped its initial investment and generated an
acceptable ROI. PVT provides a consistent and profitable way to reduce the unit
count of an older release so that it can be transitioned to its permanent
catalog, and has allowed the Company to competitively price product with the
mass merchants and electronic superstores who have dominated the sell-through
market. PVT offers customers the opportunity to purchase their favorite rental
movie at a reduced price and often before it is available at other stores for
sale. Typically, previously viewed movies are an authorized part of revenue
sharing after a specified "no sale" period. The Company expects that the added
depth of product purchased through revenue sharing and title depth programs will
continue to add significant sell-through revenues in the future. The Company
also expects to add new "DVD's for sale" to top performing DVD rental locations.
As with VHS movies the Company's goal will be to capitalize on impulse and
customer convenience sales versus attempting to price compete with mass
merchants and e-commerce.
Video Games
The video game industry set records for growth in 1999. According to the
Interactive Digital Software Association ("IDSA"), game software sales grew 11%
to $6.1 billion in 1999. The industry, which includes hardware, software and
accessories, as a whole grew by more than $700 million, topping the $9 billion
mark in total sales. Approximately 145 million Americans, ages six or older, say
they routinely play computer or video games, and 43% of these players are
female. Industry research from Game Business also shows that video gamers are
getting older, with 40 % of the primary users of consoles over the age of 18. Of
current game console owners, Sony "PlayStation" has a 53% market share. Both
Nintendo and Microsoft have announced plans to have new 128 bit DVD based
hardware "Dolphin" and "XBox" respectively, on the market by 2001.
The Company continues to recognize the synergies that exist between the
video and game industries. Game rentals support the Company's core video rental
business by catering to the younger demographics of the game enthusiast. By
providing breadth and depth of game rental hardware, new release and catalog
software, the Company broadens its rental customer appeal to all family members
and the ever growing "plugged-in" generation. The Company recognized the
consumer interest of the new 128 bit game format and placed the new Sega
"Dreamcast" hardware and software in all of its U.S. stores upon introduction in
September of 1999. In the fall of 2000, Sony is expected to introduce their new
128 bit "PlayStation 2" hardware and software. The extremely strong consumer
anticipation of the new "PlayStation 2" is driven by its incorporation of DVD
playback capabilities and the backward compatibility to play the original
"PlayStation" software. The Company believes that the added DVD feature will
help ensure acceptance and growth of the DVD format by expediting the placement
of units per household through a younger family demographic. In
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addition, the Company believes that the backward compatibility will enhance
consumer confidence of current "PlayStation" hardware and software owners who
may have been reluctant to invest in new technology based on their current
investment in existing technology.
Additional Revenue Opportunities
The Company believes that the combined video and game industry growth
statistics and consumer acceptance of the DVD format for both movies and games
offers continued evidence supporting the future of the retail rental industry.
The Company believes that additional revenue opportunities will exist in related
accessories for the DVD format such as blank discs for recording, various
disc-care and player/console maintenance items, and industry magazines and
strategy guides, although no assurances can be given. Related accessories have
been sourced through a "pay-on-scan" arrangement with the Company's magazine
supplier and a test with a game console accessory supplier. Pay-on-scan enables
the Company to add related accessory items to store inventories with no initial
cost. The Company's point-of-sale system records each store's sales by item and
the Company only pays for items sold, typically with 30-day payable terms. These
pay-on-scan purchasing programs produce comparable sell-through margins of 35%
to 40% without the up-front inventory dollar investment. The Company intends to
continue to pursue similar sell-through opportunities with manufacturers who are
eager to have their products represented in a large chain of stores and will
accept the inventory up-front risk in return for this representation.
Pay-on-scan, as with revenue sharing, is a competitive purchase option/advantage
for large chain stores such as Video Update.
OPERATIONS
The Company's management has substantial experience in the video retailing
industry. The Company believes it has developed a superstore format that
distinguishes the Company from other video retailers. Key elements of the
Company's operating strategy are set forth below.
At April 30, 2000, 420 or approximately 92%, of the Company's stores in the
United States and 101, or approximately 80%, of the Company's Canadian stores
were superstores. Superstores are defined as video rental stores that have more
than 10,000 rental units. The Company believes that an extensive selection of
rental product is a key determinant that consumers consider in choosing to visit
and patronize a particular video store. The Company tailors the movies and games
available for rent in a given store according to the market served by that
store. Additionally, catalog movies (those in release for more than one year)
are displayed in a library style (spine-out method) allowing for significantly
more video cassettes per square footage of rental space. As a result, in part
because of its direct revenue sharing relationships with movie studios, the
Company believes that it is able to provide an extensive selection, yet retain
greater flexibility than many of its competitors in terms of store size in which
it can operate.
The Company maintains an integrated point of sale ("POS") system that
provides it with immediate access to information on movie and game rentals and
sales, individual title performance, category rental sales performance,
shrinkage and overdue rentals. The POS system is used to manage inventory turns,
purchase new inventory, and balance customer demand and rental trends, all of
which the Company believes maximizes each store's profitability. The Company
converts the POS systems of acquired stores to that of the Company's as quickly
as is practicable.
The Company has redirected its marketing strategies from a broad, shotgun
approach, to a more targeted database driven marketing program.
The Company's primary goal is to retain its customers and increase the
average transaction amount per visit. The Company uses competitive price
strategies to increase revenue per customer, encouraging the customer to move up
the rental pyramid to the top rental frequency position. In fiscal 2000, the
Company implemented a multiple rental program in three areas: new releases,
catalog titles, and video games. There remains upward room for additional
pricing increases primarily due to regular theatre ticket price increases,
rising cable television and pay-per-view costs, and the continued consumer
appetite for big box-office releases.
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In addition to revenues from new releases (which account for approximately
80% of revenues), during 1999 the Company introduced a new seven-day rental
promotion that offered extended viewing periods on slower-turning matured new
releases.
The Company gains wide national brand awareness by co-branding with
partners such as Pepsi Cola, Act II Popcorn, and Hershey's, as well as with all
the major motion picture studios. The Company believes that co-branding is one
of the most cost-effective means of building a national brand name.
The in-store signage is updated frequently to keep messages fresh and
direct customers to specials and high traffic areas. Signs alert customers to
non-rental areas and programs, like the new release videos that can be
pre-ordered, previously viewed movies and movies for sale. To support the store
collateral, the in-store magazine Entertainment Magazine, reiterates rental
specials, pre-order opportunities, and upcoming previously viewed movies for
sale. Entertainment Magazine also serves as a newsletter informing customers
about upcoming new releases and special store events.
www.videoupdate.com is an informational site designed for the customer to
retrieve video and game release dates, upcoming pre-sell titles, in-store
specials, and allows customers to enter contests. The website lists store
addresses and phone numbers that are easily accessed by clicking on the
appropriate state or province.
The Company believes that its geographic concentration of multiple stores
in a market allows it to more easily monitor store operations through its
regional management offices and to achieve operating efficiencies in inventory
management, marketing, distribution, training and store supervision. The Company
receives cooperative advertising credits for each store it operates, and by
operating multiple stores in a single geographic market, it can more effectively
use cooperative advertising credits to maximize the impact of its advertising.
The Company strives to create a national presence and name recognition. To
achieve this objective and to most efficiently and effectively operate its
stores, the Company attempts to maintain consistency among its Company-owned and
franchised stores. The Company strives to conform each store's signage, layout,
marketing, management information systems and customer service.
STORE OPERATIONS AND LOCATIONS
Each Video Update store operates under substantially the same plan of
operation. Company-owned stores are open 365 days a year with daily hours
generally from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 10:00
a.m. to 12:00 midnight Friday and Saturday. The Company's stores use a
self-service system, whereby customers select products from the shelves and
proceed to the checkout counter. Video Update stores in the United States and
Canada average approximately 5,800 and 4,900 square feet in size, respectively.
The Company seeks to locate its stores in geographic areas that will enable
it to achieve operating efficiencies in inventory management, advertising,
marketing, distribution, training and store supervision. The following table
sets forth the locations of existing Company-owned and franchised stores as of
April 30, 2000:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF TOTAL
COMPANY-OWNED FRANCHISED NUMBER OF
STATE OR PROVINCE STORES STORES STORES
----------------- ------------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Alaska................................................. 3 -- 3
Arizona................................................ 34 -- 34
Colorado............................................... 11 -- 11
Connecticut............................................ 2 -- 2
Georgia................................................ 24 -- 24
Illinois............................................... 19 -- 19
Indiana................................................ 26 -- 26
Iowa................................................... 17 -- 17
Kentucky............................................... -- 2 2
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF TOTAL
COMPANY-OWNED FRANCHISED NUMBER OF
STATE OR PROVINCE STORES STORES STORES
----------------- ------------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Michigan............................................... 15 -- 15
Minnesota.............................................. 56 8 64
Missouri............................................... 12 -- 12
Nebraska............................................... 4 -- 4
Nevada................................................. 7 -- 7
New Hampshire.......................................... -- 9 9
New Jersey............................................. 5 -- 5
New Mexico............................................. 1 -- 1
New York............................................... 9 -- 9
North Carolina......................................... 30 -- 30
Ohio................................................... 31 -- 31
Oklahoma............................................... 5 -- 5
Oregon................................................. 1 -- 1
Pennsylvania........................................... 28 1 29
South Carolina......................................... 25 -- 25
South Dakota........................................... 4 -- 4
Tennessee.............................................. 1 -- 1
Texas.................................................. 15 -- 15
Utah................................................... 3 -- 3
Virginia............................................... 27 14 41
Washington............................................. 38 -- 38
Wisconsin.............................................. 6 1 7
Alberta................................................ 60 -- 60
British Columbia....................................... 59 -- 59
Manitoba............................................... 5 -- 5
Ontario................................................ 2 -- 2
Yukon.................................................. 1 -- 1
--- -- ---
Total............................................. 586 35 621
=== == ===
</TABLE>
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The Company maintains information, updated daily, regarding revenue,
current and historical sales and rental activity, demographics of store
membership and videocassette rental patterns. This information can be organized
by store, by region or for all operations.
The Company maintains a national POS system and a corporate information
system. All rental and sales transactions are recorded by the POS system when
scanned at the time of customer checkout. Nightly, the POS system transmits each
store's data from operations into the corporate information system. The systems
track all rental and sales products from the videocassette distribution center
to each store using scanned bar code information. The systems also maintains the
detailed rental history of each customer and title. This information produces
the reports used by the Company, including those used in making purchasing
decisions on new releases. All of the Company's stores use the Company's POS
system when opened or converted to the Video Update concept, in the case of an
acquired store.
PRODUCTS
Videocassette Rental. The core of the Company's revenue is driven by the
rental of videocassettes. New release one-day video prices generally range from
$2.49-$3.49. New release seven-day prices range from $3.49-$3.99 and catalog
movies rent for $1.49. The Company consistently completes market-pricing
evaluations to maximize transaction revenue. Aggressive price competition from
regional or national competitor
8
<PAGE> 10
chains may reduce new release prices to $1.99 in some markets and reduce catalog
videocassettes to as low as 47 cents. The Company believes that its rental
prices are competitive with those of other video stores, and its videocassettes
are available for one-day and multiple-day rentals to satisfy the shopping
habits of all rental consumers.
The Company's stores generally carry approximately 13,500 and 12,600 videos
for rent in its United States and Canadian stores, respectively, representing
approximately 8,700 and 6,800 titles, respectively. Movie titles are classified
into at least 23 categories, such as "Action," "Drama," "Family," and "Children"
and are displayed alphabetically within those categories. These categories are
also easily identified by our in-store mask graphic elements. Each category mask
graphic depicts a theatrical expression or element that bonds the graphic to the
category. These graphic elements are used in promotional and advertising
elements and create a unique brand identity for the Company's stores.
Video Games. In addition to the videocassette rentals, stores also rent
video games for use with "Sony PlayStation", "Nintendo 64", and "Sega
Dreamcast,". A "game store" within the store itself is being developed as a test
to further develop and maximize the growing game market. The concept is expected
to include an expanded selection of games for rent and sale, game decks, game
accessories, and a used "Buy, Sell and Trade" program.
Additional Products. DVD for rental and sell-through is available in over
50% of its stores. Candy, popcorn and beverage concessions are prominently
displayed by the service counter with impulse messaging. Concession add-on sales
are assisting the Company to increase its average dollars per customer
transaction. Test programs on magazines and related accessories items are
ongoing. Once the test proves effective, the programs are then rolled out on a
national level backed with advertising.
FRANCHISE OPERATIONS
The Company currently has 35 franchise superstores.
The standard Company franchise agreement generally requires the franchisee
to pay the Company a continuing monthly royalty fee equal to five percent of the
franchisee's gross monthly rental revenue, as calculated under the terms of the
franchise agreement. The franchisee is also generally obligated to pay a
continuing monthly royalty fee of one percent of gross monthly product revenues
derived specifically from the sale of certain video products. The monthly
royalty fees are calculated and due from the date that the franchised superstore
opens for business. In addition to the royalty payments, franchisees generally
are also required to pay a monthly advertising fee equal to one percent of the
franchisee's gross monthly revenue for the preceding month.
Under the Company's current franchising program, the Company will grant to
a franchise owner the right to develop one or a specified number of Video Update
superstores at an approved location or future locations (within specific
geographic areas) pursuant to the terms of a franchise agreement. The
exclusivity accorded to a franchisee is individually negotiated but generally
does not extend beyond a radius of one mile from the franchised location. Prior
to the actual store opening, the Company provides advice to the franchisee on
promotions, store displays and inventory control as well as a comprehensive five
day training course.
The Company monitors franchisees' compliance with ongoing obligations on
the basis of monthly revenue reports and inventory reports. The franchise
agreement generally also grants the Company the right to audit the franchisee's
books, business records, sales reports, financial statements, and tax returns at
any time. The franchise agreement allows the Company to terminate the franchise
under certain conditions, including without limitation, failure to comply with
the Company's operating guidelines, failure to obtain and maintain the necessary
retail licenses and permits, operation of a competitive venture, and
understatement of gross monthly revenues for any two operating periods by more
than two percent. To date, the Company has experienced no material problems it
is aware of relating to the understatement of revenues by franchisees.
9
<PAGE> 11
MARKETING AND ADVERTISING
The Company promotes new titles and promotions primarily through the use of
radio, TV and direct mail. Radio campaigns are enhanced by on-air, store
location or cross-promotions. A loyalty/reward direct mail campaign is used to
solidify our customer base. During the holiday quarter (November to January) TV
advertising enhances the business for both rental and sell-through. Cooperative
movie advertising made available by studios or suppliers to promote certain
videocassettes generally funds the cost of these campaigns. The in-house
magazine, Entertainment Magazine, is published monthly. The magazine identifies
the upcoming new releases, new games, sell-through titles and current marketing
programs. This newly enhanced glossy magazine ties in the new store graphic
elements, reinforcing the Company's identity. The in-store trailer tape played
on several monitors reinforces the Company's quarterly promotions between
professionally produced movie trailers.
SUPPLIERS
The Company acquires its inventory of videocassettes, DVD's, and video
games and accessories from several different studios and distributors. The
Company acquires its inventory of videocassettes (VHS), digital videodiscs
(DVD), video games, related video accessories, magazines plus food and beverage
concession products direct from several movie studios and distribution
companies. Direct relationships exist with all studio revenue share partners, as
well as several national concessionaires. Given the Company's defaults under the
Senior Facility, no assurances can be given that such arrangements will not be
terminated or re-negotiated.
The videocassette, DVD's and game inventory in each Company-owned and
franchised store consists of catalog titles and new release titles. The average
cost to the Company to purchase new release rental videocassettes has continued
to trend downwards over the past several years. This decrease is primarily due
to the transition of the Company's revenue sharing agreements from "output" to
"non-output" which has allowed the Company to maximize its purchasing efforts
and continue its efforts to reduce tape costs on a release-by-release basis.
Management believes that if its relationship with distributors or other sources
were terminated, the Company may not be able to obtain its products directly
from alternative suppliers at comparable prices and terms, which would have a
material and adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
In addition to traditional inventory purchasing, since fiscal 1999, the
Company entered into direct license revenue-sharing agreements with several
major motion picture studios, as well as many smaller studios. Under the terms
of the agreements, the Company shares the greater of an agreed-upon percentage
of the rental revenue or dollar amount per rental transaction, which percentage
declines over a period of weeks following the release of the title for video
rental. Some agreements include a nominal up front fee for units purchased or a
specified guarantee amount.
The Company believes that revenue sharing agreements are a cost-effective
source for larger orders of an individual title, particularly new release
titles. Such agreements enable the Company to order larger quantities of copies,
(two to five times the normal order) of a particular title than would be
cost-effective if the copies had otherwise been purchased. Given the Company's
defaults under the Senior Facility, no assurances can be given that the Company
will be able to continue to use such revenue sharing agreements to obtain the
intended results. The Company believes that if any of its revenue sharing
agreements were terminated, such termination would have a material and adverse
impact on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company also is a party to an agreement with Rentrak Corporation (the
"Rentrak Agreement"), a distributor of prerecorded videocassettes and other
media, which agreement superseded in all substantial respects a previous
agreement between Rentrak and recently acquired Moovies, Inc. The Rentrak
Agreement includes a requirement that the Company obtain a minimum annual dollar
amount of new release titles from Rentrak. The minimum dollar amount is subject
to increase or decrease depending on the Company's gross revenues from video
rental/sales and the number of major studios participating in Rentrak. In
addition, under the Rentrak Agreement the Company is allowed to choose which
stores offer a title from Rentrak, but if a store obtains a copy of a new
release title from Rentrak, it must obtain all copies of that title from
Rentrak.
10
<PAGE> 12
In 1998, the Company filed suit in federal court in Oregon against Rentrak,
alleging that the Rentrak Agreement is in conflict with federal antitrust law,
given Rentrak's position in the market and its exercise of monopoly power.
Although the Company's claim is not pursuant to or arising from the Rentrak
Agreement, a resolution of the action may affect some or all of the provisions
of the agreement as well as similar agreements in the video industry or may
leave the agreement unaffected. The Company has not ordered any titles from
Rentrak under the agreement or otherwise. Further, the court in the action may
determine that some or all of any monies paid to Rentrak under the Rentrak
Agreement are subject to offset or recoupment (see "Item 3-Legal Proceedings").
INVENTORY
New release videocassettes are ordered by the Company and delivered
directly to stores where they are offered for rental or sale on the studio
release date for the title. Previously viewed inventory for existing and new
stores is received, processed and stored in the Company's approximately 34,000
square foot central distribution facility located in St. Paul, Minnesota. New
release and previously viewed videocassettes and games are processed for rental
according to uniform company-wide standards. Each videocassette is removed from
its original carton and placed in a standard Video Update rental case with a
magnetic security device. Bar codes are then affixed to each videocassette and
video game. For previously viewed videocassettes, the artwork from the original
carton is cut out and inserted into clear pockets on the standard Video Update
rental case for shelf display. For new release videocassettes, the original
carton is displayed separately in front of the standard Video Update rental case
containing the videocassette.
COMPETITION
The video rental industry is highly competitive. The Company competes with
other video retail stores, including Blockbuster and Hollywood, other video
superstores, and with supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores, bookstores,
mass merchants, mail order operations, vending machines and other retailers, as
well as with noncommercial sources such as libraries. In addition to competing
with other video retailers, the Company competes with other leisure-time
activities, especially entertainment activities such as movie theaters, sporting
events, network television and cable television.
The Company also competes with other distribution channels for studio
movies, including pay-per-view television on basic cable service, which
currently offer only a limited number of channels and monthly movie selections.
Recently developed digital compression technology combined with fiber optics and
other technology will eventually permit cable companies, direct broadcast
satellite companies and other telecommunications companies to transmit a much
greater number of movies to homes at scheduled intervals throughout the day.
Ultimately, these technologies could lead to the availability of movies on
demand to the consumer. Certain cable and other telecommunications companies
have tested and are continuing to test movie-on-demand services in some markets.
The Company and its larger competitors, including Blockbuster and
Hollywood, have entered into direct revenue sharing arrangements with several
major motion picture studios. Such arrangements allow these competitors to order
and stock a greater number of new release and other titles, thus increasing
competition in those areas in which each of the Company and its competitors have
retail locations and diminishing the potential benefits of similar revenue
sharing arrangements entered into by the Company, which could have a material
adverse effect on operations.
The Company's franchise operations compete with numerous franchise
operations in many industries that have significantly greater financial and
human resources and more experience in selling franchises than does the Company.
Potential franchisees may believe that these franchisers offer greater
opportunities for success than the Company.
11
<PAGE> 13
SERVICE MARKS
The Company has a federal registration for its service mark "Video
Update(R)" and logos that include its service mark. The Company also holds
registrations in Canada for its service marks and logos. The Company considers
its service marks to be important to its business and intends to actively
protect them.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The Company is subject to various federal, state and local laws, including
the Federal Videotape Privacy Protection Act and similar state laws that govern
the disclosure and destruction of video rental records. The Company also must
comply with various regulations affecting its business, including state and
local licensing, zoning, land use, construction and environmental regulations.
The Company has not made, nor does it anticipate making, any material
capital expenditures in order to comply with environmental regulations. No
assurance can be given, however, that new environmental regulations will not be
adopted that will require the Company to make material capital expenditures for
compliance.
The Company also is subject to the Federal Trade Commission's Trade
Regulation Rule entitled "Disclosure Requirements and Prohibitions Concerning
Franchising and Business Opportunity Ventures" (the "FTC Franchise Rule") and
state laws and regulations that govern the offer and sale of franchises. To
offer and sell franchises, the Company is required by the FTC Franchise Rule to
furnish each prospective franchisee a current franchise offering circular prior
to the sale of a franchise. In addition, a number of states require a franchisor
to comply with registration or filing requirements prior to offering a franchise
in the state and to provide a prospective franchisee with a current franchise
offering circular complying with the state's laws, prior to the sale of the
franchise. Although no assurance can be given, the Company intends to maintain a
franchise offering circular that complies with all applicable federal and state
franchise sales laws. However, if the Company is unable to comply with the
franchise sales laws and regulations of any state that regulates the offer and
sales of franchises, the Company will be unable to offer and sell franchises in
such state.
The Company is required to update its franchise offering circular to
reflect material changes, under applicable law, regarding its franchise offering
and to comply with changes in disclosure requirements. The occurrence of any
such material changes may, from time to time, require the Company to stop
offering and selling franchises until its franchise offering circular is
updated. No assurance can be given that the Company's franchising program will
not be adversely affected by its failure to register or file in certain states
consistent with its expansion plans, or because compliance with applicable law
necessitates that the Company cease offering and selling franchises in certain
states until its franchise offering circular is updated, or because of its
inability to comply with existing or future franchise laws.
The Company also is subject to a number of state laws and regulations that
regulate certain substantive aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship,
including those governing the termination or nonrenewal of a franchise agreement
(such as requirements that "good cause" exist as a basis for such termination
and that a franchisee be given advance notice of, and a right to cure, a default
prior to termination), requirements that the franchisor deal with its
franchisees in good faith, prohibitions against interference with the right of
free association among franchisees and those regulating discrimination among
franchisees in charges, royalties or fees.
Compliance with federal and state franchise laws is costly and time
consuming, and no assurance can be given that the Company will not encounter
difficulties or delays in this area or that it will not require significant
capital for franchising activities.
EMPLOYEES
As of April 30, 2000, the Company employed 5,274 persons, including 5,115
in Company-owned stores and 159 in the Company's corporate, administrative and
warehousing operations. Of the employees, approximately 1,010 were full-time and
4,264 were part-time. The typical required staffing for a Video Update store is
9 to 11 employees, including a store manager. Store managers are supervised by
district managers who
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<PAGE> 14
in turn are supervised by regional managers. Regional managers report directly
to the Company's Vice Presidents of Store Operations who in turn report to the
Executive Vice President of Store Operations or the Chief Operations Officer.
The Company believes that its employee relations are satisfactory.
The Company has an incentive bonus plan under which store managers are
eligible for monthly bonuses. The performance of each manager is evaluated on a
variety of criteria, including store revenue, payroll, cash overages and
shortages and inventory control.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company leases substantially all of the sites (including buildings and
improvements) where its Company-owned video stores are located. The occupancy
expense for these sites for the years ended April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000 was
approximately $39,156,000, $65,434,000 and $59,413,000, respectively. These
leases generally have a term of three to ten years and provide options to renew
for periods ranging from three to five additional years. The Company is
generally responsible for real estate taxes, insurance and utilities under all
leases (see Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements "Lease
Agreements"). The Company expects that most future video superstores (if any)
will also occupy leased premises. The Company owns four locations for
Company-owned superstores, one of which is subject to a mortgage, (see
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources").
The Company's franchisees enter into leases individually for their
respective superstore locations. These leases are on terms substantially similar
to the terms for Company-owned superstore leases. Generally, the Company does
not guarantee and is not a party to such leases.
The Company's corporate headquarters are located at 3100 World Trade
Center, 30 East Seventh Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 and consist of
approximately 38,000 square feet of office space. The Company's central
distribution facility is located at a different location in St. Paul, Minnesota
and consists of approximately 34,000 square feet. The Company's headquarters and
distribution facilities are leased pursuant to agreements that expire on October
31, 2001 and August 31, 2001, respectively. In addition, the Company maintains
other locations for the offices of district and regional managers and for
limited storage purposes. The Company expects that suitable additional space
will be available in the Twin Cities area, when needed, on commercially
reasonable terms.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In connection with the acquisition of the assets of Videoland, Inc.
("Videoland") in November 1995, the Company issued 239,163 shares of its Class A
Common Stock (the "Videoland Shares") to the sellers of the assets of Videoland
(the "Videoland Sellers"). With respect to the Videoland Shares, the Company
agreed to make a deficiency payment in October 1996 to the Videoland Sellers if
the gross proceeds received by such sellers from the sale of the Videoland
Shares during the six months from March 1996 through September 1996 is not equal
to the number of shares of Videoland Shares sold multiplied by $12.00. The
Videoland Sellers were subject to certain "lockup" or sale restrictions as a
condition to any deficiency payment. The Company initiated an action in federal
district court in Minnesota for a declaratory judgment that the Videoland
Sellers are not entitled to any deficiency payment in light of the failure by
such sellers to comply with the lockup or sale restrictions. In January 1998,
the court entered a judgment, payable in the Company's stock or cash, against
the Company in the amount of $1,220,403 plus interest from October 1996, and
attorney's fees; which is recorded in the consolidated balance sheets. The
Company appealed the judgment to the Eighth Circuit. The appeal was denied. The
Company is exploring further avenues of relief, including but not limited to the
satisfaction of a portion of the judgment by a transfer of the Company's stock.
A variety of aspects of such a settlement are now subject to litigation in the
federal district court of Minnesota, the outcome of which no assurances can be
given. The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the full text of the complaint and papers on file in the action (Case No. 3-96
735).
In May 1998, Rousnam Video, Inc., a Michigan corporation and Hani (Al)
Monsour (collectively "Monsour") filed a lawsuit in state court (Macomb County,
Michigan) claiming amounts due pursuant to post-closing adjustments contemplated
in connection with an Asset Purchase Agreement among Monsour and
13
<PAGE> 15
Moovies, Inc. dated as of March 14, 1997, and the alleged default on a
Promissory Note among Monsour and Moovies, Inc. in the amount of $2,000,000. The
trial court has ruled in favor of the plaintiffs on a motion for summary
judgment, and a judgment for $2,370,195 has been entered against the Company.
The $2,000,0000 note is recorded in notes payable and the remaining judgement of
$370,195 is recorded in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet at
April 30, 2000. The Company believes it has meritorious grounds for its appeal
which is currently pending, although assurances cannot be given as to the
outcome of such action. The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the full text of the complaint and papers on file in the action
(Case No. 98-1998-CK).
In August 1998, the Company filed suit in federal court in Oregon against
Rentrak Corporation, an Oregon Corporation. The Company alleges that Rentrak has
violated the federal antitrust law, given Rentrak's position in the market and
its exercise of monopoly power. Rentrak has counter-claimed for amounts it
alleges were owed by Moovies, Inc. prior to the acquisition of Moovies, Inc. by
the Company and for amounts it claims are due under a contract with the Company;
the Company has denied that such contract is valid or that any sums are due.
Fact discovery in the matter is now largely completed. The Company intends to
pursue its claims aggressively, although assurances cannot be given as to the
outcome of this matter. The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the full text of the complaint and papers on file in the action
(Case No. CV 98-1013-HA).
The Company is currently in the process of an Internal Revenue Service
("IRS") audit. Certain issues have been raised by the IRS for more detailed
review and examination. Because the audit is still incomplete, the resolution of
these or future issues and their impact on the Company's financial condition and
results of operations cannot be determined at this time.
During fiscal 2000, the Company had favorable settlements in certain
litigation matters with two vendors. As part of each settlement, the Company
converted trade payables to these vendors to structured notes payable of
$1,336,000 and $6,500,000, respectively, (see Note 9 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements) and recorded approximately $1,700,000 and
$1,200,000, respectively, as a reduction of selling, general and administrative
expense and as an adjustment of estimated liabilities in the consolidated
financial statements.
Also in fiscal 2000, the Company recorded a loss of approximately
$1,600,000 resulting from a judgment on appeal in a legal matter with a vendor.
The Company believes it has meritorious grounds for success and continues to
pursue other avenues of relief.
The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings arising during
the normal course of conducting business. Management believes that the
resolution of these proceedings will not have any material adverse impact on the
Company's financial statements.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
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<PAGE> 16
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED MATTERS
From May 1, 1995 until May 7, 1995, the Company's Class A Common Stock was
traded on the NASDAQ Small Cap Market. From May 8, 1995 to October 18, 1999, the
Company's Class A Common Stock was traded on the NASDAQ National Market System
under the symbol "VUPDA." The Company's Class A Common Stock began trading on
NASDAQ on July 20, 1994. On October 19, 1999, the Company was notified by the
NASDAQ National Market that the Company's Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value
per share, was delisted due to the Company's failure to meet certain maintenance
criteria, including minimum bid price requirements. The Company's Class A Common
Stock is now quoted on the NASDAQ OTC Bulletin Board. On April 28, 2000, the
closing price for the Class A Common Stock as reported by the OTCBB was $0.2656
per share.
For the period indicated, the following table sets forth the range of high
and low sale prices for the Class A Common Stock using the prices reported on
the NASDAQ National Market System until October 18, 1999 and on the OTCBB from
October 19, 1999.
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW
------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FISCAL 1999
Quarter ended July 31, 1998................................. $2 31/32 $1 3/32
Quarter ended October 31, 1998.............................. 1 3/8 5/8
Quarter ended January 31, 1999.............................. 1 31/32 1/2
Quarter ended April 30, 1999................................ 1 11/16 17/32
FISCAL 2000
Quarter ended July 31, 1999................................. 1 5/32 5/8
Quarter ended October 31, 1999.............................. 5/8 15/64
Quarter ended January 31, 2000.............................. 29/64 15/64
Quarter ended April 30, 2000................................ 35/64 15/64
</TABLE>
As of April 30, 2000, there were 352 stockholders of record of the
Company's Class A Common Stock.
During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2000, the Company did not pay any
dividends on its Common Stock and management does not anticipate the payment of
any dividends to its stockholders in the foreseeable future. The Company
currently intends to reinvest earnings, if any, in the development and expansion
of its business. The declaration of dividends in the future will be at the
discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon the earnings, capital
requirements and financial position of the Company, general economic conditions
and other pertinent factors, including covenants relating to bank indebtedness.
15
<PAGE> 17
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1996(1) 1997 1998(2) 1999(3) 2000(4)
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues....................... $ 9,051 $ 50,504 $ 91,799 $ 156,154 $ 254,096 $ 220,962
Income (loss) from continuing
operations................... $ 213 $ 1,628 $ 4,620 $ (14,480) $ (110,371) $ (36,149)
Income (loss) per share from
continuing operations,
basic........................ $ 0.10 $ 0.17 $ 0.29 $ (0.71) $ (3.77) $ (1.23)
Income (loss) per share from
continuing operations,
diluted...................... $ 0.10 $ 0.15 $ 0.28 $ (0.71) $ (3.77) $ (1.23)
Weighted average shares,
basic........................ 2,226,000 9,526,000 15,885,000 20,412,000 29,278,000 29,278,000
Weighted average shares,
diluted...................... 2,226,000 10,663,000 16,262,000 20,412,000 29,278,000 29,278,000
OPERATING DATA:
Increase (decrease) in same
store sales(5)............... 21% 16% 5% 2% 2% (6.6%)
Number of stores open at end of
period:
Company-owned................ 33 204 343 681 652 586
Franchised................... 22 25 30 72 55 35
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
55 229 373 753 707 621
========== =========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Number of Company-owned stores:
Opened during the period..... 4 35 65 84 16 2
Acquired during the period... 14 136 74 267 -- 1
Closed during the period..... -- -- -- 13 45 69
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets................... $ 19,450 $ 79,518 $ 133,607 $ 278,431 $ 207,208 $ 160,028
Notes payable.................. $ 1,278 $ 4,859 $ 20,564 $ 104,488 $ 117,124 $ 138,440
Total liabilities.............. $ 4,279 $ 18,018 $ 42,615 $ 169,132 $ 210,303 $ 195,826
Stockholders' equity
(deficit).................... $ 15,171 $ 61,500 $ 90,992 $ 109,299 $ (3,095) $ (35,798)
</TABLE>
------------
(1) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996, the Company adopted a new method
of amortizing videocassette rental inventory. The effect of the change for
recognizing salvage value of base stock and the effect of the application of
the new method of amortizing videocassette copies in excess of the base
stock to May 1, 1995 had the impact, in total, of increasing amortization
expense by $2,773,000 and decreasing net income by $1,604,000, or $0.15 per
share, in fiscal 1996.
(2) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company took significant
charges of approximately $17 million. Exclusive of the one-time charges, the
net loss would have been $2,701,000 or $0.11 per share.
(3) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999, the Company took significant
charges of approximately $16,135,000 (see Note 4 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements) related to additional store closings and
$50,629,000 (see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements)
related to a change in amortization method for Video and Game Rental
Inventory. Exclusive of the charges, the net loss would have been
$43,607,000 or $1.49 per share.
(4) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company took significant
charges of approximately $7,354,000 related to goodwill impairment and of
$4,314,000 related to fixed asset impairment (see Notes 5 and 8 of the Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements). Additionally, during fiscal 2000, the
Company took significant gains of $5,420,000 related to store restructure
reversals and $4,545,000 related to adjustments in estimated liabilities
(see Notes 4 and 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
Exclusive of one-time charges and gains, the net loss would have been
$34,446,000 or $1.18 per share.
(5) The stores included in same store sales are Company-owned stores that have
been owned and operated by the Company for more than 12 months.
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<PAGE> 18
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of the financial condition and results of
operations should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein.
OVERVIEW
As of August 15, 2000, the Company failed to make principal and interest
payments of approximately $6 million. Consequently, the Company is in default
under its Senior Facility. In addition, the Company's ability to implement its
operational and business strategy described herein is extremely limited because
the Company has no available borrowings under its Senior Facility or any other
similar facility. Accordingly, the Company's available cash for operational
activities is severely restricted, and the Company likely will not be able to
pursue its intended operational and business strategies in a manner that would
normally be possible under circumstances in which the Company had not defaulted
under the terms of the Senior Facility. In addition, the lenders under the
Senior Facility may, but are not obliged to, take immediate legal action against
the Company, including but not limited to, acceleration of payment of all
borrowed funds and such other remedies as may be available under the loan
documents or common or statutory law. Under these circumstances, a number of the
Company's contracts and supply arrangements, including but not limited to its
revenue sharing contracts, may be subject to termination or re-negotiation.
These circumstances likely will have a material adverse effect on the Company's
ability to increase revenues and income and may, therefore, have a material
adverse effect upon the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
The Company continues to evaluate opportunities to reduce costs and improve
revenues, although no assurances can be given that such actions will be
successful if implemented. In addition, it is evaluating various alternatives to
raise capital, including the possible sale of assets. Prior to any default under
the Senior Facility, the Company had endeavored to maintain satisfactory
relationships with its primary product vendors and had negotiated extended
payment terms with several of these vendors. No assurances can be given that the
Company will be able to maintain such relationships, although it continues to be
able to obtain product from various sources. Moreover, the loss of its primary
product vendors could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company
will continue to focus on reducing the aged accounts payable with payments, the
extension of terms, and negotiated settlements. If the Company is unable to
reduce the aged accounts payable to the satisfaction of the trade creditors, it
could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company is uncertain
whether cash from operations, trade credits, equipment leases, and available
revenue sharing arrangements will be sufficient to fund future inventory
purchases and other working capital needs for the next twelve months. If the
Company is unable to obtain additional financing or maintain its relationships
with its vendors and trade creditors, the Company may be required to reduce its
overall expenditures and the Company's ability to maintain or expand its current
level of operations will be materially and adversely affected.
The Company franchised its first store in January 1983 and opened its first
company-owned store in September 1989. By July 1994, when the Company completed
its initial public offering, the Company had grown to 15 Company-owned stores
and 30 franchised stores. Subsequently, the Company accelerated its growth and
as of April 30, 2000, operates 586 Company-owned stores in 31 states and five
provinces in Canada, and has 35 franchised stores in the United States. The
majority of the Company's stores located in the United States are superstores.
Superstores are video specialty stores that carry more than 10,000 rental units.
In January 2000, the Company's Board of Directors approved a resolution
changing the Company's fiscal year-end from April 30 to January 31, effective
January 31, 2001.
The Company generates revenues primarily from the rental of videocassettes
and video games, from the sale of products, and from service fees from its
franchisees. As reflected in the chart below, rental revenues at
17
<PAGE> 19
Video Update stores have accounted for the substantial majority of the Company's
revenues. The Company expects that this trend will continue.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
------------------------------------
1998 1999 2000
-------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Rental revenue............................. $138,279 $221,238 $196,283
Product sales.............................. 17,075 31,915 23,580
Service fees............................... 800 943 1,099
-------- -------- --------
Total revenues........................ $156,154 $254,096 $220,962
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Overall revenues, including same store sales, did not meet management's
expectations for fiscal 2000, due in significant part to the re-negotiation of
revenue sharing agreements and unseasonable weather throughout the year.
Over the past twelve months, the Company has re-negotiated several revenue
share agreements resulting in improved revenue splits for the Company. In
addition, during the past twelve months, multiple new revenue share agreements
have been implemented under these more attractive terms. The Company has also
re-evaluated existing agreements with the major studios and has discontinued
"output" programs. An "output" program required that the Company carry every new
release distributed by the studio. It also requires a guaranteed amount of
revenue due the studio for each release. For high box office titles, the
"output" programs were generally profitable for the Company. However, middle to
lower box office titles often did not earn back the minimum guarantee and
actually increased the Company's costs.
"Non-output" agreements do not require the Company to stock every new
release from a studio, but instead permit the Company to either take a title in
depth through the "non-output" agreement, or purchase a title in lesser quantity
through a distributor. Even though the Company has reduced its participation
with major studio output programs, the Company has been able to supplement
title-depth by participating with more studios who do not require guarantees or
offer other cost saving title-depth programs.
The Company believes that if any of its primary supply or revenue sharing
agreements were terminated, such termination would have a material and adverse
impact on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
OPERATING RESULTS
The table below sets forth the percentage of revenues represented by
certain items included in the Company's statement of operations for the periods
indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
---------------------------
1998 1999 2000
----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Rental revenue............................................ 88.6% 87.1% 88.8%
Product sales............................................. 10.9 12.6 10.7
Service fees.............................................. 0.5 0.3 0.5
----- ----- -----
Total revenues....................................... 100.0 100.0 100.0
----- ----- -----
</TABLE>
18
<PAGE> 20
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
---------------------------
1998 1999 2000
----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Costs and expenses:
Store operating expenses.................................. 83.2 91.4 89.9
Selling, general and administrative....................... 16.2 10.3 9.5
Cost of product sales..................................... 6.3 8.0 6.6
Store closing charge...................................... 1.7 3.2 (2.5)
Adjustment of estimated liabilities....................... -- -- (2.1)
Inventory valuation charge................................ -- 19.9 --
Fixed asset valuation charge.............................. 1.0 2.6 2.0
Goodwill valuation charge................................. 0.5 -- 3.3
Amortization of goodwill.................................. 1.5 1.8 2.0
----- ----- -----
Total costs and expenses............................. 110.4 137.2 108.7
----- ----- -----
Operating loss.............................................. (10.4) (37.2) (8.7)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense.......................................... (2.8) (5.4) (8.1)
Other income.............................................. 0.0 0.3 0.5
----- ----- -----
Total other expense.................................. (2.8) (5.1) (7.6)
----- ----- -----
Loss before income taxes.................................... (13.2) (42.3) (16.3)
Income tax expense (benefit)................................ (3.9) 1.1 --
----- ----- -----
Net loss.................................................... (9.3)% (43.4)% (16.3)%
===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
FISCAL 2000 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1999
Rental revenue. Rental revenue was approximately $221,238,000 and
$196,283,000, or 87.1% and 88.8% of total revenues for fiscal 1999 and 2000,
respectively. The decrease in rental revenue of $24,955,000 was attributed to a
change in the purchasing agreements with the studios, the closing of 69
under-performing stores, and unseasonable weather throughout the year. The
change in the purchasing agreements consisted of a transition from "output" to
"non-output" purchasing which eliminated mandatory tape purchases, and has
allowed the Company to maximize its margins.
Product sales. Product sales were approximately $31,915,000 and
$23,580,000, or 12.6% and 10.7% of total revenues for fiscal 1999 and 2000,
respectively. The decrease in product sales of $8,335,000 was primarily a result
of the closing of under-performing stores, high "Titanic" video sales in fiscal
1999, as well as management's continued focus on the rental of videocassettes
and DVD's due to their return on investment.
Service fees. Service fees were approximately $943,000 and $1,099,000, or
0.3% and 0.5% of total revenues for fiscal 1999 and 2000, respectively.
Continuing service fees and royalties from franchisees account for 85.7% and
87.0% of total service fees from fiscal 1999 and 2000, respectively.
Store operating expenses. Store operating expenses consist primarily of
compensation and related expenses, occupancy expenses, and the cost of rental
tapes and video games. Operating expenses were approximately $232,287,000 and
$198,538,000, or 91.4% and 89.9% of total revenues for fiscal 1999 and 2000,
respectively. The decrease in store operating expenses of $33,749,000 was
attributed to the closing of under-performing stores and other cost cutting
measures, such as the reduction of management overhead, and the selected
downsizing of stores.
19
<PAGE> 21
Store operating expenses consist of the following (in 000's):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, PERCENT OF REVENUE
-------------------------------- ------------------------
1998 1999 2000 1998 1999 2000
-------- -------- -------- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cost of rental revenue..................... $ 38,689 $ 76,044 $ 54,417 24.8% 29.9% 24.6%
Occupancy expenses......................... 41,596 71,436 63,350 26.6 28.1 28.7
Compensation and related benefits.......... 38,424 60,055 55,973 24.6 23.6 25.3
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
expenses................................. 6,313 13,777 15,497 4.1 5.5 7.0
Other store operating expenses............. 4,898 10,975 9,301 3.1 4.3 4.2
-------- -------- -------- ---- ---- ----
Total store operating expenses...... $129,920 $232,287 $198,538 83.2% 91.4% 89.9%
======== ======== ======== ==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
Cost of rental revenue was approximately $76,044,000 and $54,417,000, or
29.9% and 24.6% of total revenues for fiscal 1999 and 2000, respectively. Cost
of rental revenue reflects the amortization of videocassettes and video games,
revenue sharing expenses, and fees paid to videocassette and video game
suppliers. The decrease of $21,627,000 was attributed to the decline in
purchases that resulted from the transition from "output" to "non-output"
revenue sharing agreements, and to the closing of 69 under-performing stores
since April 30, 1999.
Occupancy expenses were approximately $71,436,000 and $63,350,000, or 28.1%
and 28.7% of total revenues for fiscal 1999 and 2000, respectively. The decrease
of approximately $8,086,000 was primarily attributed to the closing of
under-performing stores as well as the selected downsizing of stores. The
expense as a percent of revenue increased as a result of occupancy expenses that
are still being realized subsequent to the closing of 69 under-performing stores
since April 30, 1999, as well as the decline in sales that resulted from the
transition from "output" to "non-output" revenue sharing agreements.
Compensation and related benefits were approximately $60,055,000 and
$55,973,000, or 23.6% and 25.3% of total revenues for fiscal 1999 and 2000,
respectively. The decrease of approximately $4,082,000 was primarily due to the
closing of 69 under-performing stores. The expense as a percent of revenue
increased primarily due to the decline in sales that resulted from the
transition from "output" to "non-output" revenue sharing agreements.
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment expenses consisting of depreciation of
furniture and fixtures, computer leases, telephone expenses, and other related
expenses were approximately $13,777,000 and $15,497,000, or 5.5% and 7.0% of
total revenues for fiscal 1999 and 2000, respectively. The increase of
$1,720,000 was primarily attributed to losses on equipment disposals and
additional equipment leases resulting from the sale-leaseback transaction in
fiscal 1999. These were offset slightly by less depreciation expense on fixed
assets written off in fiscal 1999 related to store closings.
Selling, general and administrative. Selling, general and administrative
expenses were approximately $26,179,000 and $20,816,000 or 10.3% and 9.5% of
total revenues for fiscal 1999 and 2000, respectively. The decrease of
approximately $5,363,000 was attributed to the streamlining of administrative
duties, continuing efforts towards automation, a reduction of head count, as
well as the effect of the settlement with a vendor of approximately $1.7
million.
Cost of product sales. Cost of product sales was approximately $20,257,000
and $14,637,000, or 8.0% and 6.6% of total revenues for fiscal 1999 and 2000,
respectively. The cost of product sales as a percentage of total product sales
revenue was approximately 63.5% and 62.1% for fiscal 1999 and 2000,
respectively. The decrease in the cost of product sales was primarily attributed
to management's continued focus on the rental of videocassettes and DVD's as the
core source of revenue due to the higher margins that are realized in comparison
to product sales.
Store closing charge. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999, the Company
adopted a business restructuring plan to close 70 under-performing stores. This
resulted in the Company recording a pre-tax charge of approximately $9,535,000
to cover lease termination charges and miscellaneous closing costs for these
stores. During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2000, 60 of the stores reserved
were closed at a significantly
20
<PAGE> 22
lower cost to the Company than originally planned due to successful lease
terminations and which resulted in a reserve reversal of approximately
$5,420,000, and ten stores were determined to remain open. In addition to the
stores detailed above, nine stores were closed during fiscal 2000.
Adjustment of estimated liabilities. During fiscal year 2000, the Company
resolved various disputed vendor accounts, including a legal settlement (see
Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). The positive
resolution of these disputed amounts previously accrued resulted in a reduction
of outstanding liabilities of approximately $5,550,000 of which $1,005,000
reduced fixed assets and $4,545,000 was recorded as a reduction of operating
expenses.
Fixed asset valuation charge. During fiscal 1999 and 2000, the Company
recorded pretax charges of approximately $6,600,000 and $4,314,000,
respectively, relating to the impairment of certain fixed assets held for use
when it was determined that future undiscounted cash flows associated with those
assets were insufficient to recover their carrying value.
Goodwill valuation charge. During fiscal 2000, the Company recorded a
pretax charge of $7,354,000 relating to the impairment of certain intangible
assets when it was determined that future undiscounted cash flows associated
with these assets were insufficient to recover their carrying value.
Amortization of goodwill. Amortization of goodwill was approximately
$4,471,000 and $4,299,000 for fiscal 1999 and 2000, respectively.
Interest expense. Interest expense was approximately $13,695,000 and
$17,804,000 or 5.4% and 8.1% of total revenues for fiscal 1999 and 2000,
respectively. The increase of approximately $4,109,000 was primarily attributed
to interest on increased borrowings under the Company's Senior Facility (as
defined below), as well as higher interest rates.
Other income (expense). Other income (expense) was approximately $677,000
and $686,000 for fiscal 1999 and 2000, respectively.
FISCAL 1999 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1998
Rental revenue. Rental revenue was approximately $138,279,000 and
$221,238,000, or 88.6% and 87.1% of total revenues for fiscal 1998 and 1999,
respectively. The increase in rental revenue of $82,959,000 was derived
primarily from the 267 video stores acquired from Moovies in March 1998 and a 2%
increase in same store revenues at the Video Update locations. Rental revenues
did not meet management's expectations for the 12 months ended April 30, 1999,
primarily due to the conversion of the Moovies locations in several significant
markets, which was completed during the third fiscal quarter, as well as the
simultaneous impact during the period of revenue sharing arrangements and copy
title depth obtained by competitors in markets where the Company's stores are
located.
Product sales. Product sales were approximately $17,075,000 and
$31,915,000, or 10.9% and 12.6% of total revenues for fiscal 1998 and 1999,
respectively. The increase in product sales of $14,840,000 was primarily a
result of product sales by the Moovies video stores acquired in March 1998 and
from the sale of videocassettes of the movie "Titanic." The increase as a
percentage of total revenues was primarily due to a difference in product mix
and high "Titanic" video sales.
Service fees. Service fees were approximately $800,000 and $943,000, or
0.5% and 0.3% of total revenues of fiscal 1998 and 1999, respectively.
Continuing service fees and royalties from franchisees account for 95% of total
service fees from fiscal 1998 and 1999. The increase in service fees of $143,000
was primarily a result of franchises acquired with the Moovies acquisition in
March 1998.
Store operating expenses. Store operating expenses consist primarily of
compensation and related expenses, occupancy expenses, and the cost of rental
videos and games. Operating expenses were approximately $129,920,000 and
$232,287,000, or 83.2% and 91.4% of total revenues for fiscal 1998 and 1999,
respectively. Store operating expenses do not include a one-time charge to
change the amortization policy for rental inventory (see Note 2 "Change in
Amortization Method for Video and Game Rental Inventory" to the Consolidated
Financial Statements). The increase in store operating expenses of $102,367,000
was primarily
21
<PAGE> 23
the result of the Moovies video stores acquired in March 1998. The increase in
store operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues was primarily due to:
(i) a sales shortfall arising from the timing advantage of revenue sharing
arrangements and copy title depth obtained by competitors in the markets where
the Company's stores were located; (ii) revenues of a significant number of
acquired Moovies locations not performing to management's expectations; and
(iii) corresponding higher costs of new video stores prior to revenue reaching
maturity during the first two years of operations.
Cost of rental revenue were approximately $38,689,000 and $76,044,000, or
24.8% and 29.9% of total revenues for fiscal 1998 and 1999, respectively. Cost
of rental revenue reflects the amortization of videocassettes and video games,
revenue sharing expenses, and fees paid to videocassette and video game
suppliers. The increase of $37,355,000 was primarily attributable to the
addition of new release videocassette inventory for new, existing, and the
acquired Moovies locations.
Compensation and related expenses were approximately $38,424,000 and
$60,055,000, or 24.6% and 23.6% of total revenues for fiscal 1998 and 1999,
respectively. The increase of approximately $21,631,000 was primarily due to the
Moovies locations acquired in March 1998.
Occupancy expenses were approximately $41,596,000 and $71,436,000, or 26.6%
and 28.1% of total revenues for fiscal 1998 and 1999, respectively. The increase
of $29,840,000 was primarily the result of the video stores acquired during the
period and the opening of 71 Company-owned video stores, net of closings, during
fiscal 1998.
Selling, general and administrative. Selling, general and administrative
expenses were approximately $25,223,000 and $26,179,000, or 16.2% and 10.3% of
total revenues for fiscal 1998 and 1999, respectively. During the fourth quarter
of fiscal 1998, the Company recorded the following: (i) a $3,546,000 non-cash,
non-tax deductible charge to compensation expense related to the release of
1,170,000 shares of Class B common stock from escrow (see Note 14 of the Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements); (ii) a $7,161,000 charge consisting of a
$3,236,000 non-cash charge relating to the restated employment agreements for
the Company's Chief Executive Officer and its President, representing amounts to
be applied to their existing stock option related loan obligations, and
$3,925,000 to be used by the executives primarily to pay income taxes arising
from the stock option related transaction; and (iii) $700,000 for previously
capitalized bank fees related to the Company's previous Revolving Credit
Facility which was repaid prior to its maturity. After giving consideration to
these items, expenses were $13,816,000 and $26,179,000, or 8.8% and 10.3% of
total revenues for fiscal 1998 and 1999, respectively. The increase of
$12,363,000 was primarily due to (i) additional finance and information systems
personnel and related expenses to support the Company's growth; (ii) outside
legal and accounting fees; (iii) maintenance costs on computer and phone
systems; and (iv) bank service fees related to additional locations. The
increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of total
revenue was primarily due to (i) higher than expected costs incurred to
integrate the Moovies locations; and (ii) sales shortfalls at Moovies locations
as they were converted to the Video Update format.
Cost of product sales. Cost of product sales was approximately $9,809,000
and $20,257,000, or 6.3% and 8.0% of total revenues for fiscal 1998 and 1999,
respectively. The cost of product sales as a percentage of total product sales
revenue was approximately 57.4% and 63.5% for fiscal 1998 and 1999,
respectively. The increase in the cost of product sales as a percentage of
product sales was primarily due to the sale of the "Titanic" video which was
sold at a low margin due to industry competition.
Store closing charge. During the fourth quarter of 1999, the Company began
and completed an extensive analysis of its base store performance and adopted a
business restructuring plan to close approximately 70 under-performing stores.
This analysis resulted in the Company recording a pretax charge of approximately
$9,535,000 to cover lease termination charges and miscellaneous closing costs
for those stores. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company recorded
a store closing reserve of approximately $2,700,000 of which approximately
$1,337,000 was reversed in fiscal 1999 due to successful negotiation of lease
terminations (see Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
22
<PAGE> 24
Amortization of goodwill. Amortization of goodwill was approximately
$2,353,000 and $4,471,000, or 1.5% and 1.8% of total revenues for fiscal 1998
and 1999, respectively. The increase of $2,118,000 was primarily attributable to
the acquisition of Moovies in March 1998.
Interest expense. Interest expense was approximately $4,292,000 and
$13,695,000, or 2.8% and 5.4% of total revenues for fiscal 1998 and 1999,
respectively. The increase of $9,403,000 was primarily attributable to interest
on increased borrowings under the Company's Senior Facility (as defined below).
Other income (expense). Other income (expense) was approximately $(71,000)
and $677,000, or (0.0)% and 0.3% of total revenues for fiscal 1998 and 1999,
respectively.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company has funded its operations through cash from operations, the
proceeds of prior equity and debt offerings, borrowings under bank facilities,
trade credit and equipment leases. The Company's principal capital requirements
are for the purchase of rental inventory, payments related to store closings,
and payments of interest and principal related to the Company's indebtedness.
As of August 15, 2000, the Company failed to make principal and interest
payments of approximately $6 million. Consequently, the Company is in default
under its Senior Facility. In addition, the Company's ability to implement its
operational and business strategy described herein is extremely limited because
the Company has no available borrowings under its Senior Facility or any other
similar facility. Accordingly, the Company's available cash for operational
activities is severely restricted, and the Company likely will not be able to
pursue its intended operational and business strategies in a manner that would
normally be possible under circumstances in which the Company had not defaulted
under the terms of the Senior Facility. In addition, the lenders under the
Senior Facility may, but are not obliged to, take immediate legal action against
the Company, including but not limited to, acceleration of payment of all
borrowed funds and such other remedies as may be available under the loan
documents or common or statutory law. Under these circumstances, a number of the
Company's contracts and supply arrangements, including but not limited to its
revenue sharing contracts, may be subject to termination or re-negotiation.
These circumstances likely will have a material adverse effect on the Company's
ability to increase revenues and income and may, therefore, have a material
adverse effect upon the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
The Company continues to evaluate opportunities to reduce costs and improve
revenues, although no assurances can be given that such actions will be
successful if implemented. In addition, it is evaluating various alternatives to
raise capital, including the possible sale of assets. Prior to any default under
the Senior Facility, the Company had endeavored to maintain satisfactory
relationships with its primary product vendors and had negotiated extended
payment terms with several of these vendors. No assurances can be given that the
Company will be able to maintain such relationships, although it continues to be
able to obtain product from various sources. Moreover, the loss of its primary
product vendors could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company
will continue to focus on reducing the aged accounts payable with payments, the
extension of terms, and negotiated settlements. If the Company is unable to
reduce the aged accounts payable to the satisfaction of the trade creditors, it
could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company is uncertain
whether cash from operations, trade credits, equipment leases, and available
revenue sharing arrangements will be sufficient to fund future inventory
purchases and other working capital needs for the next twelve months. If the
Company is unable to obtain additional financing or maintain its relationships
with its vendors and trade creditors, the Company may be required to reduce its
overall expenditures and the Company's ability to maintain or expand its current
level of operations will be materially and adversely affected.
At April 30, 2000, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of
approximately $1,763,000. The Company uses an unclassified balance sheet in its
financial statements, and as a result, does not classify its assets or
liabilities as current or non-current. If the Company were to use a classified
balance sheet, a portion of videocassette rental inventories would be classified
as non-current because they are not assets that are reasonably expected to be
completely realized in cash or sold in one year. The acquisition cost of these
inventories, however, would be reflected in current liabilities. The Company
believes that classification of
23
<PAGE> 25
videocassette rental inventories as non-current assets would be misleading
because it would not indicate the level of assets expected to be converted into
cash in the next year as a result of rentals or sales of these videocassettes.
For the year ended April 30, 2000, net cash provided by operating
activities was approximately $35,127,000. Net cash used in investing activities
was approximately $37,382,000, consisting primarily of approximately $1,186,000
for the purchase of property and equipment and approximately $36,512,000 for the
purchase of video and game rental inventory. Net cash generated from financing
activities was approximately $4,243,000 due primarily to an additional
$10,500,000 of term loans (see Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements).
In March 1998 the Company completed the acquisition of Moovies, Inc.
("Moovies"). The Company issued approximately 9.3 million shares of Class A
Common Stock in exchange for Moovies common stock. The transaction was treated
as a tax-free exchange for federal income tax purposes and recorded under the
purchase method of accounting.
Simultaneous with the closing of the Moovies transaction, a syndicate led
by Banque Paribas extended the Company a $120 million senior credit facility
(the "Senior Facility"). This Senior Facility replaced the Company's previous
line of credit. The Senior Facility consisted of the following: (i) two term
loans totaling $95 million; (ii) a $15 million capital expenditure line; and,
(iii) a $10 million revolving line. The Company borrowed the $95 million of the
two term loans in conjunction with the closing of the merger and the proceeds
were used to: (i) refinance approximately $35,000,000 of outstanding
indebtedness including accrued interest under the Company's previous line of
credit; (ii) refinance approximately $50,000,000 of indebtedness of Moovies
under Moovies' previous credit agreement; and (iii) pay transaction fees and
expenses relating to the merger of approximately $10,000,000, (including legal
fees, accounting fees, and registration fees). The capital expenditure line was
primarily available to fund the conversion of the acquired Moovies stores and
integration costs, the opening of new stores and selected acquisitions.
During the second quarter of fiscal 1999, the Company and the bank
syndicate amended the terms of the Senior Facility to, among other things: (i)
reduce the Senior Facility from $120 million to $115 million; (ii) revise
certain financial covenants; (iii) modify the terms of the capital expenditure
line to allow usage for working capital needs; (iv) increase the overall
interest rate by 0.5%; (v) add consent fees of $600,000 payable August 12, 1998
and $575,000 payable on August 12, 1999; and (vi) reprice warrants held by the
bank syndicate to a more current market price. During the third quarter of
fiscal 1999, the Company and the bank syndicate amended the terms of the Senior
Facility to, among other things; (i) permit a sale-leaseback transaction; (ii)
defer the January 31, 1999 principal payments to March 12, 1999; and (iii)
increase the overall interest rate by 0.25%. During the fourth quarter of fiscal
1999, the Company and the bank syndicate amended the terms of the Senior
Facility to, among other things; (i) defer the March 12, 1999 principal payments
to May 31, 1999; (ii) revise certain financial covenants; and (iii) add consent
fees of $57,500 due on April 30, 1999 and May 15, 1999.
Effective May 28, 1999, the Company and the bank syndicate amended the
terms of the Senior Facility to, among other things; (i) increase the overall
Senior Facility with a new tranche of C Term loans in the aggregate amount of
$10.5 million maturing June 2006, and bearing 12% interest; (ii) revise certain
financial covenants; (iii) revise and defer certain principal payments; (iv)
increase the overall interest rate by 0.75%; and (v) reflect the issuance of
7,481,250 warrants at $0.8719 per share expiring June 2006. The Company used
proceeds of the new C Term loans for, among other things, the purchase of rental
inventory, payments related to store closings, trade payables, and debt service.
As of April 30, 2000, the Company had $15 million outstanding under the capital
expenditure line and $5 million outstanding under the revolving line both of
which are available to fund working capital needs. As of April 30, 2000 the
Company had no further borrowing capacity available under its Senior Facility.
In addition, the Company is presently in default under the terms of the Senior
Facility for failure to make principal and interest payments due July 31, 2000
of approximately $6 million and to comply with certain financial covenants.
Consequently, the Senior Facility lenders may take legal action against the
Company, including but not limited to, the immediate acceleration of payment of
borrowed funds, which could materially and adversely affect the Company's
operations. The immediate
24
<PAGE> 26
acceleration of debt thereunder or the lack of further borrowing capacity, in
whole or in part, would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
operations and financial condition.
Amounts borrowed under the Senior Facility bear interest at variable rates
based on the "base rate" (i.e., the higher of the federal funds rate, plus 1/2
of 1% or the prime commercial lending rate) or the inter-bank Eurodollar rate
(approximately 9.00% and 6.18% per annum, respectively as of April 30, 2000)
plus an applicable margin rate that could range from 0.50% to 5.25%. Amounts
currently outstanding at April 30, 2000 had a weighted average rate of 11.32%.
The Senior Facility includes negative, affirmative, and financial covenants
including, but not limited to, minimum free cash flow, consolidated indebtedness
to consolidated free cash flow, maximum leverage, minimum fixed charge coverage,
a prohibition or restriction on capital expenditures, debt and guarantees, liens
and encumbrances on any property, mergers, consolidations, investments,
advances, divestitures, change of business or conduct of business, joint
ventures, partnerships, the creation of new subsidiaries, dividends,
distributions, repurchases or redemptions of outstanding stock (including
options or warrants), the voluntary prepayment, repurchase redemption or
defeasance of debt, and the acquisition, sale or transfer, lease or sale-
leaseback of assets. The Senior Facility is secured by substantially all of the
Company's assets as well as by pledges of its stock in its subsidiaries, which
subsidiaries also have provided guarantees of the Company's obligations. As of
April 30, 2000, the Company was in default of several of the above financial
covenants. As of August 15, 2000, the Company is in default for non-payment of
approximately $6 million in principal and interest.
In May 1999, the Company provided a 12% interest bearing promissory note to
a major vendor for $14,000,000 for the settlement of accounts payable, which is
to be repaid in monthly installments through May 2002. The remaining balance at
April 30, 2000 is approximately $11,402,000. The Company also issued warrants to
purchase 1,000,000 shares of Class A common stock at $0.81 per share, which
expires May 2004.
Also in fiscal 2000, the Company provided a $6,500,000 interest bearing
promissory note to a vendor for the settlement of accounts payable. The note
bears interest of 8% and is payable in weekly installments through December
2002. Additionally, the Company provided a $1,336,000 note payable to a vendor
for the settlement of accounts payable. The note is payable in monthly
installments through August 2002.
During fiscal 1996, each of Messrs. Potter and Bedard issued notes (at an
interest rate of 8% per annum) to the Company (the "Recourse Notes") in
connection with stock option exercises. In fiscal 1998, 1999, and 2000, Mr.
Potter's Recourse Note accrued interest of $151,694, $147,097, and $69,273,
respectively, and Mr. Bedard's Recourse Note accrued interest of $84,275,
$81,721, and $79,593, respectively. At April 30, 1999 and 2000, Mr. Potter's
Recourse Note balance was approximately $2,227,244 and $0, respectively, and Mr.
Bedard's Recourse Note balance was approximately $1,237,358 and $1,212,000,
respectively. The Company's Board of Directors has approved the accrual of
bonuses to satisfy the Recourse Notes and interest thereon. During fiscal 2000,
the Company paid all of its previously accrued payroll tax and other obligations
related to Mr. Potter's Recourse Note and expects to complete its similar
obligations with respect to Mr. Bedard's Recourse Note by December 31, 2000.
The Company generally does not offer lines of credit or guarantees for the
obligations of its franchisees, although on occasion, the Company has made
short-term loans to current franchisees. The Company intends to evaluate the
possibility of providing loans or limited guarantees for certain franchisee
obligations, which in the aggregate are not expected to be material to the
Company's financial condition.
Substantially all Company-owned stores are in leased premises, except for
four stores that are located on premises owned by the Company. The Company
expects that most future stores will occupy leased premises.
In November 1998, the Company entered into a sale-leaseback arrangement
with respect to certain of its furniture, fixtures, equipment and signage used
in selected retail locations. Under the arrangement the Company obtained
approximately $5 million.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains a number of forward looking
statements. Any statements contained herein (including without limitation
statements to the effect that the Company or its management
25
<PAGE> 27
"believes," "expects," "anticipates," "plans" and similar expressions) that are
not statements of historical fact should be considered forward looking
statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the
Company's results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward
looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, the following:
Cash Requirements
The Company has no further borrowing capacity under its Senior Facility and
is currently in default thereunder for non-payment of approximately $6 million
in principal and interest and failure to be in compliance with certain of the
financial covenants of its Senior Facility. Consequently, the Senior Facility
lenders may take legal action against the Company, including, but not limited
to, the immediate acceleration of payment of borrowed funds, which could
materially and adversely affect the Company's operations. The immediate
acceleration of debt thereunder or the lack of further borrowing capacity, in
whole or in part, would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
operations and financial condition.
Fluctuations in Quarterly Operating Results
The Company has experienced in the past, and may continue to experience in
the future, fluctuations in its quarterly operating results. No assurance can be
given that the Company will have positive earnings in any quarter, or that
earnings in any particular quarter will not fall short of either a prior fiscal
quarter or investors' expectations. Factors such as the number of new store
openings (newer stores generally are less profitable than mature stores), public
acceptance and interest in new release titles, weather (particularly on weekends
and holidays), the mix of products rented and sold, pricing actions of
competitors, special or unusual events affecting retailers in general, the level
of advertising and promotional expenses, seasonality, and one-time charges
associated with acquisitions (if any) or other events could contribute to
quarterly variability in operating results. In addition, the Company's expense
levels are based in part on expectations of future sales levels, and a shortfall
in expected sales could therefore result in a disproportionate decrease in net
income.
Significant Future Charges to Earnings Arising from Amortization of Goodwill
At April 30, 2000, the Company had approximately $66,223,000 of goodwill on
its balance sheet that resulted primarily from the acquisition of video rental
stores, which will be amortized over 20 years. The Company expects that its
operating results for future quarters over the next 20 years will reflect
quarterly, non-cash charges of approximately $960,000 for amortization of
goodwill from these acquisitions. The Company also anticipates that future
acquisitions (if any) will involve the recording of a significant amount of
goodwill on its balance sheet, which will be amortized over varying periods of
time of up to 20 years.
Competition
The video rental industry is highly competitive. The Company competes with
other video retail stores, including Blockbuster and Hollywood, other video
superstores, and with supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores, bookstores,
mass merchants, mail order operations, vending machines and other retailers, as
well as with noncommercial sources such as libraries. In addition to competing
with other video retailers, the Company competes with other leisure-time
activities, especially entertainment activities such as movie theaters, sporting
events, network television and cable television.
The Company also competes with other distribution channels for studio
movies, including pay-per-view television on basic cable service, which
currently offer only a limited number of channels and monthly movie selections.
Recently developed digital compression technology combined with fiber optics and
other technology will eventually permit cable companies, direct broadcast
satellite companies and other telecommunications companies to transmit a much
greater number of movies to homes at scheduled intervals throughout the day.
Ultimately, these technologies could lead to the availability of movies to the
consumer on demand. Certain cable and other telecommunications companies have
tested and are continuing to test movie-on-demand services in some markets.
26
<PAGE> 28
The Company and its larger competitors, including Blockbuster and
Hollywood, have entered into direct revenue sharing arrangements with major
motion picture studios. Such arrangements allow these competitors to order and
stock a greater number of new release and other titles, thus increasing
competition in those areas in which each of the Company and its competitors have
retail locations and diminishing the potential benefits of similar revenue
sharing arrangements entered into by the Company, which could have a material
adverse effect on operations.
The Company's franchise operations compete with numerous franchise
operations in many industries that have significantly greater financial and
human resources and more experience in selling franchises than does the Company.
Potential franchisees may believe that these franchisers offer greater
opportunities for success than the Company.
Possible Adverse Effect of New Technologies on the Video Rental Business
The Company also currently competes with pay-per-view cable television
systems. Recently developed digital compression technology combined with fiber
optics and other technology will eventually permit cable companies, direct
broadcast satellite companies and other telecommunications companies to transmit
a much greater selection of movies to homes at scheduled intervals throughout
the day. Ultimately, these technologies could lead to the availability of
movies-on-demand to the consumer. Certain cable and other telecommunications
companies have tested and are continuing to test movie on demand services in
some markets. Technological advances could have a material adverse effect on the
business of the Company.
Changes in Studio Distribution and Pricing
Changes in the manner in which movies are marketed by the studios that
produce them, primarily related to an earlier release of movie titles to
alternative distribution channels, could substantially decrease the demand for
video rentals, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition and results of operations. In addition, changes in the movie
studios' wholesale pricing structure for videos could result in a competitive
disadvantage for all video specialty stores, including those of the Company.
Supply Relationships
In addition to traditional inventory purchasing, since fiscal 1999, the
Company entered into revenue sharing agreements with several major motion
picture studios, as well as many smaller studios. Under the terms of the
agreements, the Company shares the greater of an agreed-upon percentage of the
rental revenue or flat dollar amount per rental transaction, which percentage
declines over a period of time following the release of the title for video
rental. Some agreements include a nominal up front fee for units acquired or a
specified guarantee amount.
The Company believes that revenue sharing agreements are a cost-effective
source for larger orders of an individual title, particularly new release
titles. Such agreements enable the Company to order larger quantities of copies,
(two to five times the normal order) of a particular title than would be
cost-effective if the copies had otherwise been purchased. Given the Company's
defaults under the Senior Facility, no assurances can be given that the Company
will be able to continue to use such revenue sharing agreements to obtain the
intended results. The Company believes that if any of its primary revenue
sharing agreements were terminated, such termination would have a material and
adverse impact on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Consumer Acceptance of New Release Movie Titles
The Company depends significantly on availability and consumer acceptance
of new release video titles available for rental. To the extent that available
new release titles fail to stimulate consumer interest and retail traffic,
operating results could be materially adversely affected.
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<PAGE> 29
Seasonality and Other Factors
The video rental industry generally experiences revenue declines in April
and May, due in part to the change to Daylight Savings Time and to improved
weather, and in September and October, due in part to school openings and the
introduction of new network and cable television programs.
The Company's video rental business may be affected by other factors,
including additional and existing competition, marketing programs, weather,
special or unusual events, variations in the number of superstore openings, and
other factors that may affect retailers in general.
Franchise Sales
The sale of franchises is regulated by various state laws as well as by the
Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC"). The FTC requires that franchisors make
extensive disclosure to prospective franchisees but does not require
registration. A number of states require registration or disclosures in
connection with franchise offers and sales. In addition, several states have
"franchise relationship laws" or "business opportunity laws" that limit the
ability of franchisors to terminate franchise agreements or to withhold consent
to the renewal or transfer of these agreements. Although the franchising
operations are not materially adversely affected, to date, by such existing
regulations, the management of the Company cannot predict the effect any future
legislation or regulation may have on its business operations or financial
condition.
Dependence on Key Personnel
The Company's future success depends to a significant extent on the
continued contributions of Daniel A. Potter, the Company's Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, John M. Bedard, the Company's President, Michael P. Gebauer,
the Company's Chief Financial Officer, and Daniel C. Howard, the Company's Chief
Operating Officer. The loss of the services of any of these officers could have
a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company's continued growth and
profitability also depends on its ability to attract, motivate, and retain other
management personnel, including qualified store managers. No assurance can be
given that the Company will be successful in attracting, motivating and
retaining such personnel.
Retention of Employees
The success of the Company will depend in part upon the retention of key
employees. Competition for qualified personnel in the video rental industry is
very intense. Stock options, which generally become exercisable only over a
period of several years of employment, serve as an important incentive for
retaining key employees. Although the Company is engaged in ongoing efforts to
retain key employees, retaining such employees may be more difficult in the
future.
Anti-takeover Effect; Shareholders' Rights Plan; Delaware Law and Certain
Charter and Bylaw Provisions; Preferred Stock
The Company's Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to five
million shares of Preferred Stock and to determine the price, rights,
preferences and privileges of those shares without any further vote or action by
the stockholders. The rights of the holders of Class A Common Stock will be
subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any
shares of Preferred Stock that may be issued in the future. The issuance of
Preferred Stock could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third
party to acquire a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the Company,
thereby delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of the Company. In
addition, certain provisions in the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws containing restrictions on calling special meetings of stockholders and
restrictions on amendments to the Bylaws may discourage or make more difficult
any attempt by a person or group of persons to obtain control of the Company.
The Company is subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, the statute prohibits a
publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination"
with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years after the date of
the
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<PAGE> 30
transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the
business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. For purposes of Section
203, a "business combination" includes a merger, asset sale or other transaction
resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder, and an
"interested stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and
associates, owns (or within three years prior, did own) 15% or more of a
corporation's voting stock.
In addition, options issued pursuant to the Company's stock option plans
generally will vest immediately upon a change in control as described in the
option grant letters.
In April 1998, the Company's Board of Directors adopted a Rights Agreement
(the "Rights Agreement"). Under the Rights Agreement, a dividend of one right
("Right") to purchase a fraction of a share of newly created series of preferred
stock, was declared for each share of Class A Common Stock and each Class B
Warrant outstanding at the close of business on April 24, 1998. The Rights,
which expire on April 24, 2008, may be exercised only if certain conditions are
met, such as the acquisition (or the announcement of a tender offer the
consummation of which would result in the acquisition) of a beneficial ownership
of 15 percent or more of the Class A Common Stock by a person or affiliated
group. The Rights, if exercised, would cause substantial dilution to a person or
group of persons that attempts to acquire the Company without the prior approval
of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may cause the Company to
redeem the Rights for nominal consideration. The Rights Agreement may discourage
or make more difficult any attempt by a person or group of persons to obtain
control of the Company.
Volatility of Stock Price
The market price of the Company's Class A Common Stock has been, and may
continue to be, extremely volatile. In addition, prices of stocks of most
companies in the video store industry (including Video Update) have been subject
to a generally declining trend over the past several years. Factors such as new
product announcements by the Company or its respective competitors, new digital
technologies such as near-video-on-demand and video-on-demand, quarterly
fluctuations in operating results, challenges associated with integration of
businesses, and general conditions in the data networking market may have a
significant impact on the market price of Video Update Class A Common Stock.
These conditions, as well as factors which generally affect the market for
stocks of retail companies, could cause the price of Video Update Class A Common
Stock to fluctuate substantially.
On October 19, 1999, the Company was notified by the Nasdaq National Market
that the Company's Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, was delisted
due to the Company's failure to meet certain maintenance criteria, including
minimum bid price requirements. The Company's Class A Common Stock is now quoted
on the Nasdaq OTC Bulletin Board.
Inflation
To date, inflation has not had a material effect on the Company's business.
The Company anticipates that its business will be affected by general economic
trends. Although the Company has not operated during a period of high inflation,
it believes that it would generally be able to pass increased costs resulting
from inflation on to customers.
New Accounting Standards
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standard No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities", which provides guidance on accounting for derivative
and hedge transactions. The statement is effective for the Company in fiscal
year 2002. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this
pronouncement will have a material impact on its reported financial position or
operating results.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition". The statement is effective
for the Company in fiscal year 2001. The Company does
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<PAGE> 31
not anticipate that the adoption of the guidelines in this pronouncement will
have a material impact on reported operating results.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company is exposed to various market risks, including changes in
interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Market risk is the potential
loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest
rates and foreign currency. The Company is party to financial instruments to
manage and reduce the impact of certain of these risks. The Company does not
enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative
purposes (see Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
The Company is exposed to cash flow risk arising out of changes in interest
rates with respect to its debt obligations. The Company currently has
approximately $138,440,000 of debt outstanding at April 30, 2000, substantially
all of which is variable rate debt and is currently due. The market risk
inherent in the Company's debt instruments represents the increased interest
costs arising from adverse changes in interest rates (primarily LIBOR rates).
The weighted average interest rate on outstanding debt at April 30, 2000 is 11%.
The Company has entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a major
financial institution to exchange variable rate interest payment obligations for
fixed rate obligations without the exchange of the underlying principal amounts.
At April 30, 2000 the notional amount of the outstanding interest rate swap was
$4,920,0000 and the fair market value was $49,000. The outstanding interest rate
swap has a pay rate of 5.94% and a receive rate based on the three month LIBOR
and expire in fiscal 2001. Due to the short-term nature of the interest rate
swap agreement and the Company's outstanding borrowings, interest rate risk is
not considered to be a material risk to the Company. Assuming interest rates
increased 10%, the Company's impact on earnings would be approximately
$1,400,000, net of tax.
The Company operates internationally in Canada, and thus is subject to
potentially adverse movements in foreign currency rate changes. The Company does
not enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce its exposure to
foreign currency rate changes on intercompany foreign currency denominated
balance sheet positions. Historically, the effect of movements in the exchange
rates have been immaterial to the consolidated operating results of the Company.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The following financial statements are filed as part of this report.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Reports of Independent Auditors............................. F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 1999 and 2000... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000............................. F-5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
for the years ended April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000......... F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000............................. F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................. F-8
</TABLE>
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not applicable.
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
BACKGROUND
The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their positions held
in the Company, and their ages are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- -------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Daniel A. Potter.................................... 42 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
John M. Bedard...................................... 42 President and Director
Daniel C. Howard.................................... 39 Chief Operations Officer and Director
Michael P. Gebauer.................................. 34 Chief Financial Officer
Richard Bedard...................................... 46 Executive Vice President
Michael G. Schifsky................................. 44 Senior Vice President
Theodore Coburn..................................... 47 Director
Paul M. Kelnberger.................................. 56 Director
Bernard R. Patriacca................................ 56 Director
</TABLE>
Each director is elected for a period of one year at the Company's annual
meeting of stockholders and serves until his successor is duly elected by the
stockholders.
The following is a brief summary of the background of each director,
executive officer, and significant employee of the Company:
Daniel A. Potter, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Potter
co-founded the Company in 1983 and has served as the Company's Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer since its inception. Mr. Potter holds a B.A. degree from
the University of Minnesota and a J.D. degree from William Mitchell College of
Law. Mr. Potter is a member of the nominating committee.
John M. Bedard, President and Director. Mr. Bedard co-founded the Company
in 1983 with Mr. Potter and has served as the Company's President and as a
Director since its inception. Mr. Bedard, together with Mr. Potter, devised and
implemented the Company's real estate development program and operations. Mr.
Bedard is the brother of Richard Bedard, an Executive Vice President of the
Company.
Daniel C. Howard, Chief Operations Officer and Director. Mr. Howard has
served as the Company's Chief Operations Officer since 1990, has coordinated the
Company's operations since 1983, and has served as a Director since August 1994.
He holds a B.S. degree from the University of Minnesota School of Management.
Mr. Howard is a member of the executive compensation committee.
Michael P. Gebauer, Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Gebauer has served as the
Chief Financial Officer since joining the Company in 1999. From 1998 to 1999, he
was a Vice President of Merchant Banking for Banque Paribas, a multi-national
investment bank. From 1989 to 1998, Mr. Gebauer was a Vice President for Fuji
Bank, Ltd., where he served in various capacities including marketing,
structuring, product development, analysis, and syndications. He holds a B.B.A.
from the University of Massachusetts.
Richard Bedard, Executive Vice President. Mr. Bedard has served as an
Executive Vice President of the Company since September 1995. From 1986 to 1995,
he served as the Company's Vice President of Franchise Development. Mr. Bedard
is the brother of John M. Bedard, the Company's President and a Director.
Michael G. Schifsky, Senior Vice President. Mr. Schifsky has served as
Senior Vice President since 1998. Mr. Schifsky served as Vice President of Store
Development since rejoining the Company in 1990 until 1998.
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Mr. Schifsky served as Director of Franchise Sales from 1986 to 1988 and before
that was a District Manager of the Company from 1984 to 1985.
Paul M. Kelnberger, Director. Mr. Kelnberger has served as a Director since
August 1994. Mr. Kelnberger has been a member of Johnson, West & Co., PLC
("Johnson, West & Co."), a certified public accounting firm with its principal
offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, since 1975. In addition, since November 1995 Mr.
Kelnberger has served as a Director of Leuthold Funds, a publicly held mutual
fund. Johnson, West & Co. performed auditing services for the Company prior to
the fiscal year ended April 30, 1993. Since that time, Johnson, West & Co. has
provided and continues to provide to the Company accounting services in
connection with the Company's acquisitions and sales and use tax planning. Mr.
Kelnberger is a certified public accountant and holds a Certificate of
Accounting from the Academy of Accountancy in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He chairs
the Board's audit committee and is a member of the executive compensation
committee. See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions."
Bernard R. Patriacca, Director. Mr. Patriacca has served as a Director
since April 1997. Since November 1997, he has served as the Vice President and
Controller of Summit Technology, Inc., a publicly held developer, manufacturer
and seller of ophthalmic laser systems and related products designed to correct
vision disorders. Since 1994, he also has served as Vice President of Errands
Etc., Inc., a privately held homeowner's personal service company. From 1973 to
1991, Mr. Patriacca served in various capacities at Dunkin' Donuts Incorporated,
including Chief Financial Officer and Director. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Patriacca
held senior financial management positions at several privately held consumer
services companies. Mr. Patriacca is a certified public accountant and holds
Bachelor's and Master's degrees in finance and accounting from Northeastern
University. Mr. Patriacca is a member of the audit committee and executive
compensation committee.
Theodore J. Coburn, Director. Theodore J. Coburn has been a director of the
Company since March 1998. Mr. Coburn served as a director of Moovies, Inc. from
June 1995 to March 1998. Since 1991, Mr. Coburn has been a partner and a
director of Brown, Coburn & Co., an investment banking firm. From 1986 until
1991, he was a Managing Director of Global Equity Transactions Group and a
member of the Board of Directors of Prudential Securities. From 1983 to 1986 Mr.
Coburn served as Managing Director of Merrill Lynch Capital Markets. Mr. Coburn
serves as a director of Measurement Specialties, Inc., a publicly held company.
Mr. Coburn also serves as a director of the Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc. He
also serves as a director of the Emerging Germany Fund. Mr. Coburn received his
B.S. from the University of Virginia in 1975 and an M.B.A. from Columbia
University Graduate School of Business in 1978 and holds Master's degrees from
Harvard University Graduate School of Education and its Divinity School. Mr.
Coburn is a member of the nominating committee.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) ("Section 16(a)") of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), requires executive officers and directors, and
persons who beneficially own more than ten percent (10%) of the Company's Common
Stock, to file initial reports of ownership on Form 3 and reports of changes in
ownership on Form 4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and
any national securities exchange on which the Company's securities are
registered. Executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent (10%)
beneficial owners are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with
copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the
Company and written representations from the executive officers and directors
that no other reports were required, the Company believes that during fiscal
2000, its executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent (10%)
beneficial owners complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements
except that each of the Company's directors and named executive officers filed
untimely reports on Form 5.
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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Set forth below is a Summary Compensation Table concerning the compensation
of the named executive officers for the last three completed fiscal years.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL LONG TERM
COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
------------------------------------ ------------
AWARDS
------------
SECURITIES
YEAR OTHER ANNUAL UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
ENDED SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION OPTIONS/SARS COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL APRIL 30 (1)($) (2)($) (3)($) (4)(#) (5)($)
POSITION (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (G) (I)
------------------ ----------- -------- ---------- ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Daniel A. Potter............... 2000 $360,000 $ 138,546 $ -- 540,000 $28,820
Chairman and 1999 $360,000 $ 294,195 $ -- -- $28,443
Chief Executive Officer 1998 $300,000 $4,603,665 $1,926,973 -- $26,195
John M. Bedard................. 2000 $240,000 $ 159,186 $ -- 300,000 $21,032
President and Director 1999 $240,000 $ 163,442 $ -- -- $23,168
1998 $200,000 $2,557,590 $1,557,019 -- $27,934
Daniel C. Howard............... 2000 $128,400 $ -- $ -- 270,000 $12,252
Chief Operations Officer 1999 $128,400 $ -- $ -- -- $13,841
1998 $ 87,890 $ -- $ 62,278 -- $12,673
Michael P. Gebauer............. 2000 $134,333 $ 130,776 $ -- 270,000 $10,504
Chief Financial Officer(6)
Dale E. Lauwagie............... 2000 $ 86,780 $ -- $ -- -- $ 4,248
Chief Financial Officer(7) 1999 $ 80,208 $ -- $ -- 90,000 $ 8,183
Michael G. Schifsky............ 2000 $116,167 $ -- $ -- 36,000 $15,020
Senior Vice President 1999 $109,100 -- $ -- -- $12,456
1998 $ 98,500 $ -- $ -- 39,000 $ 8,942
</TABLE>
------------
(1) Amounts shown indicate cash compensation earned and received by executive
officers; no amounts were earned but deferred at the election of those
officers. Executive officers participate in the Company's group health
insurance plan.
(2) Amounts shown in 1998 reflect the bonus amounts accrued by the Company in
conjunction with Messrs. Potter and Bedard's restated employment agreements.
Amounts totaling $524,945 and $291,635 were paid to Messrs. Potter and
Bedard respectively in fiscal 1998 as reimbursement of previous payments of
principal and interest on their recourse notes to the Company and
accompanying tax liabilities. In 1999, the Company accrued bonus amounts for
Messrs. Potter and Bedard intended to cover their respective obligations
related to the Recourse Notes. In 2000, the Company accrued bonus amounts
for Messrs. Potter and Bedard intended to cover their respective obligations
related to the Recourse Notes. See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.
(3) Amounts for fiscal 1998 reflect the release of 635,755, 513,698 and 20,547
shares of Class A Common Stock from escrow to Messrs. Potter, Bedard and
Howard respectively, at the market price on the date of release.
(4) Amounts shown reflect grants of options to purchase Class A Common Stock
pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plans. During fiscal years 1998
through 2000, the Company made no awards of restricted stock and did not
have a long-term incentive plan.
(5) Amounts shown reflect payment for automobile, insurance and other expenses.
(6) Mr. Gebauer was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company on October
18, 1999. Mr. Gebauer's base salary was set at $248,000. The amount of
$134,333 represents salary earned through April 30, 2000.
33
<PAGE> 35
(7) Mr. Lauwagie was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company on
November 16, 1998. Mr. Lauwagie's base salary was set at $175,000. The
amount of $86,780 represents salary earned through October 31, 1999. Mr.
Lauwagie vacated the position of Chief Financial Officer of the Company in
October of 1999.
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2000
Set forth below is an Option Grants table concerning individual grants of
stock options made during the last completed fiscal year to each of the named
executive officers.
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2000
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS VALUE AT ASSUMED
------------------------------------------------------------------ ANNUAL RATES OF
PERCENT OF TOTAL STOCK PRICE
NUMBER OF SECURITIES OPTIONS APPRECIATION FOR
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE OF OPTION TERM(1)
OPTIONS GRANTED EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION --------------------
(#) FISCAL YEAR(2) ($/SH) DATE(3) 5%($) 10%($)
NAME (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (G)
-------- -------------------- ---------------- ----------- ---------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Daniel A. Potter............ 540,000 30.0% $0.25 01/20/10 $84,888 $215,136
John M. Bedard.............. 300,000 17.0% $0.25 01/20/10 $47,160 $119,520
Daniel C. Howard............ 270,000 15.0% $0.25 01/20/10 $42,444 $107,568
Michael P. Gebauer(4)....... 270,000 15.0% $0.25 01/20/10 $42,444 $107,568
Michael G. Schifsky......... 36,000 2.0% $0.25 01/20/10 $ 5,659 $ 14,342
Dale E. Lauwagie(5)......... -- -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
------------
(1) The dollar gains under these columns result from calculations assuming
hypothetical growth rates as set by the Commission and are not intended to
forecast future price appreciation of the Class A Common Stock.
(2) In fiscal 2000 options to purchase a total of 1,788,000 shares of the
Company's Class A Common Stock were granted to employees of the Company,
including executive officers.
(3) These options are subject to earlier termination upon certain events related
to termination of employment.
(4) Mr. Gebauer was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company on October
18, 1999.
(5) Mr. Lauwagie vacated the position of Chief Financial Officer of the Company
in October of 1999.
34
<PAGE> 36
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUE TABLE
Set forth below is a table concerning each exercise of stock options during
the last completed fiscal year by each of the named executive officers and the
fiscal year-end value of unexercised options.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES FOR YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2000
AND FY-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES VALUE OF
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
SHARES VALUE AT YEAR-END(#) AT YEAR-END
ACQUIRED ON REALIZED EXERCISABLE/ ($) EXERCISABLE/
EXERCISE(#) ($) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE(1)
NAME (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
-------- ----------- -------- ------------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Daniel A. Potter...................... -- -- 480,000/360,000 $7,488/$5,616
John M. Bedard........................ -- -- 265,000/200,000 $4,134/$3,120
Daniel C. Howard...................... -- -- 181,468/182,032 $2,831/$2,840
Michael P. Gebauer(2)................. -- -- 90,000/180,000 $1,404/$2,808
Michael G. Schifsky................... -- -- 129,050/ 38,950 $ 2,013/$ 608
Dale E. Lauwagie(3)................... -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
------------
(1) In-the-money options are those options for which the fair market value of
the underlying Common Stock is greater than the exercise price of the
option. On April 28, 2000, the fair market value of the Company's Class A
Common Stock underlying the options (as determined by the last sale price
quoted on the Nasdaq OTCBB) was $0.2656.
(2) Mr. Gebauer was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company on October
18, 1999.
(3) Mr. Lauwagie vacated the position of Chief Financial Officer of the Company
in October of 1999.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Compensation decisions for the Company's Chief Executive Officer and
President are made by the Executive Compensation Committee, comprised of Messrs.
Kelnberger, Howard and Patriacca.
None of the executive officers of the Company have served on the Board of
Directors or compensation committee of any other entity that has had any of such
entity's executive officers serve either on the Company's Board of Directors or
compensation committee.
During fiscal 2000, the Company paid approximately $370,000 to Johnson,
West & Co. for accounting services in connection with the Company's acquisitions
and for tax return preparation services. Mr. Kelnberger is a member of Johnson,
West & Co.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS, TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, OFFICER LOANS AND CHANGE IN
CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
In April 1998, the Company entered into restated employment agreements (the
"Employment Agreements") with Daniel A. Potter, its Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer and John Bedard, its President, each of whom also is a director through
April 2001. Mr. Potter and Mr. Bedard are to receive salaries of $360,000 and
$240,000, respectively. Such compensation may be increased and bonuses may be
awarded at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company. Each of
Messrs. Potter and Bedard have agreed to devote their full time and best efforts
to fulfill their duties and responsibilities to the Company. Each of them will
be entitled to participate in employee benefit plans.
During fiscal 1996, each of Messrs. Potter and Bedard issued notes to the
Company (the "Recourse Notes") in connection with stock option exercises. In
fiscal 1998, 1999, and 2000, Mr. Potter's Recourse Note accrued interest of
$151,694, $147,097, and $69,273, respectively, and Mr. Bedard's Recourse Note
accrued interest of $84,275, $81,721, and $79,593, respectively. At April 30,
1999 and 2000, Mr. Potter's Recourse
35
<PAGE> 37
Note balance was approximately $2,227,244 and $0, respectively, and Mr. Bedard's
Recourse Note balance was approximately $1,237,358 and $1,212,000, respectively.
In April of 1998, the Company's Board of Directors had approved the accrual of
bonuses to satisfy the Recourse Notes and interest thereon, as well as the
anticipated payroll tax liability to the executives as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ENDED APRIL 30 BONUS
--------------------------- ------------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Daniel A. Potter................................. 2000 $ 138,546
Chairman and 1999 $ 294,195
Chief Executive Officer 1998 $4,603,665
John M. Bedard................................... 2000 $ 159,186
President and Director 1999 $ 163,442
1998 $2,557,590
</TABLE>
In fiscal 2000, the Company satisfied all of its payroll tax and other
obligations to Mr. Potter's Recourse Note and expects to complete its similar
obligations with respect to Mr. Bedard's Recourse Note by December 31, 2000.
Amounts shown in 1998 reflect the bonus amounts accrued by the Company in
conjunction with Messrs. Potter and Bedard's restated employment agreements. In
1999, the Company accrued bonus amounts for Messrs. Potter and Bedard intended
to cover their respective obligations related to the Recourse Notes. In 2000,
the Company accrued bonus amounts for Messrs. Potter and Bedard intended to
cover their respective obligations related to the Recourse Notes.
The resultant accrual for compensation expense has been recorded as an
offset to the officers' loan obligations, with the balance of the accrual
included in accrued compensation in the balance sheet as of April 30, 1999 and
2000.
Under the Employment Agreements, the Company has a right to terminate each
of the agreements for "cause" as defined in the agreements or as a result of the
employee's disability. Except in the case of termination for cause, upon early
termination of the agreements of the Company, each of Messrs. Potter and Bedard
shall be entitled to receive their salary plus fringe benefits for 36 months
from the date of termination. In addition, the Employment Agreements provide
that any amount owed by Messrs. Potter or Bedard to the Company will be forgiven
(with any necessary payment to cover any resulting tax liability incurred by
such executive) if such executive leaves the Company while his Recourse Note
remains outstanding. In the event of a change of control of the Company, Messrs.
Potter and Bedard have the option to terminate their employment subject to the
provisions of the employment agreements and to receive severance and fringe
benefits for 36 months subject to the provisions of their agreements. A "change
in control" includes an acquisition of 15% of the voting power of the securities
of the Company by any person, certain changes in the composition of the Board of
Directors, and an approval by the stockholders of the Company of a merger,
consolidation, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company.
Each of Messrs. Potter and Bedard has agreed not to disclose any
confidential information of the Company during the term of his employment or to
compete with the Company during the term of his employment or for a period of
three years following termination of his employment except in accordance with
the employment agreement.
In January 1998, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
Daniel C. Howard, its Chief Operating Officer and a director and stockholder. As
compensation, Mr. Howard is to receive an annual base salary of $128,400, plus
bonuses and stock options as determined by the Board of Directors. The agreement
is for an initial term of two years, and is automatically renewed for successive
one-year terms, unless terminated by the Company or Mr. Howard. Upon termination
in accordance with the agreement, Mr. Howard is entitled to receive severance
pay of at least 12 months' base salary and at most 24 months' base salary, less
certain amounts provided in the agreement. In the event Mr. Howard's employment
is terminated after a change in control, Mr. Howard is entitled to receive an
amount equal to two times his average total annual compensation during the two
years preceding the termination. A "change in control" occurs when any person or
entity
36
<PAGE> 38
acquires at least 51% of the voting power of the securities of the Company, the
stockholders of the Company approve a plan of liquidation, or the Company
engages in a merger, sale of assets or other business combination that results
in the security holders of the Company holding less than a majority of the
combined voting power after the transaction. Mr. Howard has agreed not to
disclose any confidential information of the Company during his employment and
thereafter, and not to compete with the Company during his employment and for
two years thereafter, including soliciting customers and employees of the
Company.
In April 1999, the Company entered into employment agreements with Michael
G. Schifsky, Senior Vice President, and Richard Bedard, Executive Vice
President. As compensation, Mr. Schifsky and Mr. Bedard are to receive annual
base salaries of $119,700 and $98,600, respectively, plus bonuses and stock
options as determined by the Board of Directors. The agreements are
substantially similar to the employment agreement of Mr. Howard, as described
above.
In October 1999, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
Michael P. Gebauer, its Chief Financial Officer. As compensation, Mr. Gebauer is
to receive an annual base salary of $248,000, plus bonuses and stock options as
determined by the Board of Directors. The agreement is substantially similar to
the employment agreement of Mr. Howard, as described above.
Mr. Potter's brother-in-law Robert Yager, formerly a director of the
Company, is employed as a Company vice president of franchise development. Mr.
John Bedard is the brother of Richard Bedard and Glenn Bedard, Company executive
vice presidents and Paul Bedard, a Company vice president. Each of the
non-executive employees receives an annual compensation ranging from $69,800 to
$98,700.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of the Company
receive $3,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors and for each committee
meeting of the Board of Directors attended by such director, in addition to
reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in attending such meetings, and
receive $10,000 for each quarter of service as a director. Additionally,
non-employee directors receive options under the Formula Plan, as follows: (i)
all non-employee directors (currently Messrs. Patriacca, Kelnberger, and Coburn)
each receive options annually to purchase 1,500 shares of Class A Common Stock,
which vest in two equal annual installments on the first two anniversaries of
the date of grant and which are exercisable at a price equal to the fair market
value of the Class A Common Stock on the date of grant, provided that each of
them is a director on the date of the grant and each of them has attended at
least 75% of the meetings he or she was eligible to attend; and, (ii) any
non-employee directors appointed in the future will receive on the date of such
appointment, options to purchase 3,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, which
will vest in three equal annual installments on the first three anniversaries of
the date of grant and which will be exercisable at a price equal to the fair
market value of the Class A Common Stock on the date of grant.
37
<PAGE> 39
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of July 28, 2000 the number and
approximate percentage of shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially owned by:
(i) all persons known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than
five percent (5%) of the outstanding Class A Common Stock; (ii) each "named
executive officer" (as defined in Item 402 to Regulation S-K under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and director; and (iii) all directors and
executive officers of the Company individually and as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
CLASS A SHARES PERCENTAGE OF
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIALLY CLASS A SHARES
BENEFICIAL OWNER(1)(2) OWNED(3) OUTSTANDING(3)
---------------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Daniel A. Potter............................................ 1,806,120 6.1%
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer(4)
John M. Bedard.............................................. 1,266,039 4.3
President and Director(5)
Daniel C. Howard............................................ 214,346 *
Chief Operating Officer and Director(6)
Michael P. Gebauer.......................................... 90,000 *
Chief Financial Officer(7)
Richard Bedard.............................................. 130,000 *
Executive Vice President(8)
Michael G. Schifsky......................................... 134,050 *
Senior Vice President(9)
Paul M. Kelnberger.......................................... 40,083 *
Director(10)
Theodore J. Coburn.......................................... 39,833 *
Director(11)
Bernard R. Patriacca........................................ 38,583 *
Director(12)
All Directors and Executive officers as a group............. 3,759,054 12.2%
(9 persons)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)
</TABLE>
------------
* Less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of Class A Common
Stock.
(1) The address of Messrs. Potter, John Bedard, Howard, Gebauer, Richard
Bedard, Schifsky, Kelnberger, Coburn and Patriacca is c/o Video Update,
Inc. 3100 World Trade Center, 30 East Seventh Street, St. Paul, Minnesota
55101.
(2) Does not include 25,000 shares held by Dale E. Lauwagie who vacated the
position of Chief Financial Officer of the Company in October of 1999.
(3) For the purposes of this table, shares of Common Stock which, to the
Company's knowledge, an individual or group has a right to acquire within
sixty (60) days upon the exercise of options or warrants, are deemed
outstanding for the purposes of computing the number and percentage of
shares beneficially owned by such individual or group. Such shares are not
deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of
shares beneficially owned by any other individual or group shown in the
table. This table does not include an approximate aggregate amount of
32,580 shares of Common Stock held by the executive officers of the Company
through the Company's 401(k) plan.
(4) Includes an aggregate of 480,000 shares of Common Stock issuable on
exercise of various stock options. Includes an aggregate of 36,947 shares
of Common Stock held in custodial accounts for Mr. Potter's children.
Excludes an aggregate of 360,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of various stock options that have not yet vested. Does not
include 26,250 shares of Common Stock owned by Mr. Potter's father, in
which Mr. Potter disclaims beneficial ownership.
(5) Includes an aggregate of 265,000 shares of Common Stock issuable on
exercise of various stock options. Includes 39,515 shares of Common Stock
held by Mr. Bedard's mother, but subject to a voting trust of
38
<PAGE> 40
which Mr. Bedard is a trustee. Excludes an aggregate of 200,000 shares of
Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options that have not yet
vested.
(6) Includes an aggregate of 181,468 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of various stock options. Excludes an aggregate of 182,032 shares
of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of various stock options that
have not yet vested.
(7) Includes an aggregate of 90,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of stock options that have vested. Excludes an aggregate of
180,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options
that have not yet vested.
(8) Includes an aggregate of 118,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of various stock options that have vested. Excludes an aggregate
of 41,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock
options that have not vested.
(9) Includes an aggregate of 129,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of various stock options that have vested. Excludes an aggregate
of 38,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock
options that have not vested.
(10) Includes an aggregate of 40,083 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of various stock options that have vested. Excludes an aggregate
of 67,417 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock
options that have not vested.
(11) Includes an aggregate of 39,833 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of various stock options that have vested. Excludes an aggregate
of 68,417 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock
options that have not vested.
(12) Includes an aggregate of 38,583 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of various stock options that have vested. Excludes an aggregate
of 67,417 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock
options that have not vested.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Craig Belisle, the brother-in-law of John Bedard, the Company's President
and a Director, owned a majority interest in two franchise stores as of April
30, 2000. The amount of service fees earned from these franchisees was
approximately $92,710 for the year ended April 30, 2000. The amount due from Mr.
Belisle, as a franchisee, at April 30, 2000 approximated $23,930.
During the years ended April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000, the Company paid
approximately $561,000, $270,000, and $370,000 respectively, to Johnson, West &
Co., PLC ("Johnson, West & Co.") for accounting and tax services. Paul
Kelnberger, a Director of the Company, is a member of Johnson, West & Co.
Constance Koppenhaver, the daughter of Mr. Kelnberger, owned an interest in
one franchise store as of April 30, 1999. As of July 1, 1999, the Company
acquired the franchise store and assumed ownership for a purchase price of
$250,000.
Robert Yager, formerly a director of the Company, is employed as a Company
vice president of franchise development and is the brother-in-law of Mr. Potter.
Richard Bedard and Glenn Bedard, Company executive vice presidents, and Paul
Bedard, a Company vice president, are each the brother of Mr. John Bedard. In
fiscal 2000, each of the non-executive employees received an annual compensation
ranging from $69,800 to $98,700.
Brown, Coburn & Co. ("Brown, Coburn"), a privately held investment banking
firm of which Theodore J. Coburn, a director of the Company, is a principal,
received $20,754 for consulting services provided to the Company for the fiscal
year ended April 30, 2000. The Company intends to use Brown, Coburn's services
during fiscal 2001.
The Company believes that the above arrangements were on terms at least as
favorable as could be obtained from unaffiliated parties.
39
<PAGE> 41
During fiscal 1996, each of Messrs. Potter and Bedard issued notes (at an
interest rate of 8% per annum) to the Company (the "Recourse Notes") in
connection with stock option exercises. In fiscal 1998, 1999, and 2000, Mr.
Potter's Recourse Note accrued interest of $151,694, $147,097, and $69,273,
respectively, and Mr. Bedard's Recourse Note accrued interest of $84,275,
$81,721, and $79,593, respectively. At April 30, 1999 and 2000, Mr. Potter's
Recourse Note balance was approximately $2,227,244 and $0, respectively, and Mr.
Bedard's Recourse Note balance was approximately $1,237,358 and $1,212,000,
respectively. The Company's Board of Directors has approved the accrual of
bonuses to satisfy the Recourse Notes and interest thereon. During fiscal 2000,
the Company paid all of its previously accrued payroll tax and other obligations
related to Mr. Potter's Recourse Note and expects to complete its similar
obligations with respect to Mr. Bedard's Recourse Note by December 31, 2000.
40
<PAGE> 42
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1. Financial Statements
All financial statements of the Company as set forth under Item 8 of
this report.
2. Financial Statement Schedules
No financial statement schedules have been included since they are
either not applicable or the information is included elsewhere herein.
3. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed herewith:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
<S> <C>
1 Form of Purchase Agreement by and between Video Update, Inc.
(the "Company"), Piper Jaffray Inc. and The Robinson
Humphrey Company, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 1 to the Company's
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to its Form S-3 Registration
Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") on September 27, 1996 and incorporated
herein by reference) (replaced and superseded a
corresponding exhibit previously filed with the Commission).
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of July 9, 1997, as
amended by Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated
as of October 27, 1997, by and among the Company, VUI Merger
Corp. and Moovies, Inc. ("Moovies") (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to
the Company's Form S-4 Registration Statement filed with the
Commission on January 23, 1998 and incorporated herein by
reference).
2.2 Purchase Agreement by and among Video Update Canada Inc.,
Hill and Cassidy Retail Corp., Byron Hill, Patricia Hill and
Mel Cassidy, dated as of April 1, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 2
to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
Commission on April 7, 1997 and incorporated herein by
reference).
2.3 Purchase Agreement by and among the Company, Cox Video
Corporation, and Robert W. Cox, dated as of February 28,
1997 (filed as Exhibit 2a to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 4, 1997 and
incorporated herein by reference).
2.4 Purchase Agreement by and among the Company, Susan Janae
Kingston, and Larry Peterman, dated as of March 17, 1997
(filed as Exhibit 2b to the Company's Current Report on Form
8-K filed with the Commission on April 4, 1997 and
incorporated herein by reference).
2.5 Purchase Agreement by and among the Company, Video
Warehouse, Inc., and Donald and Katherine Cianci, dated as
of January 15, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 2 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
January 29, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).
2.6 Purchase Agreement by and among Video Update Canada Inc.,
Video View Ltd., and Gordon and Joanne Hillman, dated as of
January 1, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 2 to the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 10,
1997 and incorporated herein by reference).
2.7 Purchase Agreement by and between the Company, Videoland,
Inc. and the Stockholder of Videoland, Inc., dated as of
November 14, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 2 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on
January 26, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference).
</TABLE>
41
<PAGE> 43
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
<S> <C>
2.8 Purchase Agreement by and among the Company, 94 Video West,
Inc. and Michael Bennett and Paul Levens, dated as of
October 2, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 2a to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
October 13, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference).
2.9 Purchase Agreement by and among the Company, Talerico
Enterprises, Inc. ("TEI") and the stockholder of TEI, dated
as of October 5, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 2b to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
October 13, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference).
2.10 Purchase Agreement by and between the Company, and the
Stockholders of Indy Video, Inc., dated as of September 26,
1995 (filed as Exhibit 2 to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 27, 1995 and
incorporated herein by reference).
2.11 Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement by and among the Company,
Wilderness Video Group Ltd., Richard Walton, the Walton
Family Trust Alexsay Holdings Ltd., Barclays Bank of Canada,
Allstate Life Insurance Company of Canada, and Ontario
Municipal Employees Retirement Board, dated as of August 22,
1995 (filed as Exhibit 2a to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 30, 1995 and
incorporated herein by reference).
2.12 Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between the Company
and Glenn Forth, dated August 23, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 2b
to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
Commission on August 30, 1995 and incorporated herein by
reference).
2.13 Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between the Company
and Seig Badke, dated August 23, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 2c
to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
Commission on August 30, 1995 and incorporated herein by
reference).
2.14 Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement by and among the Company,
443972 B.C., Ltd., Dale Mounzer and Jim Collen dated August
22, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 2d to the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 30,
1995 and incorporated herein by reference).
2.15 Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and the
Stockholders of AV Video, dated as of July 14, 1995 (filed
as Exhibit 2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
filed with the Commission on July 26, 1995 and incorporated
herein by reference).
2.16 Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and the
Proprietors of Video Powerstore, dated as of June 2, 1995
(filed as Exhibit 2 to the Company's Current Report on Form
8-K filed with the Commission on June 29, 1995 and
incorporated herein by reference).
2.17 Second Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and
among the Company, Schmidt & Schmidt Limited ("SSL"), and
the Stockholders of SSL, dated February 28, 1995 (filed as
Exhibit 2a to the Company's Form Quarterly Report on Form
10-QSB for the quarter ended January 31, 1995 filed with the
Commission on March 17, 1995 and incorporated herein by
reference).
2.18 Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company,
Jarzig Enterprises, Inc., and the Stockholders of Jarzig
Enterprises, Inc., dated October 25, 1994 (filed as Exhibit
2b to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the
quarter ended October 31, 1994, filed with the Commission on
December 15, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference).
2.19 Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company,
Schmidt & Schmidt Limited, and the Stockholders of Schmidt &
Schmidt Limited, dated September 16, 1994 (filed as Exhibit
2a to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with
the Commission on October 3, 1994 and incorporated herein by
reference).
</TABLE>
42
<PAGE> 44
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
<S> <C>
2.20 Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company,
Halgrimson Enterprises, Inc., and the Stockholders of
Halgrimson Enterprises, Inc., dated September 16, 1994
(filed as Exhibit 2b to the Company's Current Report on Form
8-K filed with the Commission on October 3, 1994 and
incorporated herein by reference).
2.21 Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company,
Koonrod, Inc., and the Stockholders of Koonrod, Inc., dated
September 2, 1994 (filed as Exhibit 2 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended July
31, 1994, filed with the Commission on September 10, 1994
and incorporated herein by reference).
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3 to
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
Commission on January 20, 1997 and incorporated herein by
reference).
3.2 Bylaws of the Company, as amended on June 23, 1998 (filed as
Exhibit 3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
with the Commission July 7, 1998 and incorporated herein by
reference).
4.1 Form of Unit Purchase Option (filed as Exhibit 4a to the
Company's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to its Form SB-2
Registration Statement (No. 33-89018) originally filed with
the Commission on March 31, 1995 and incorporated herein by
reference).
4.2 Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate (filed as Exhibit
4a to the Company's Form SB-2 Registration Statement (No.
33-79292-C) declared effective by the Commission on July 20,
1994 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.3 Specimen Class B Common Stock Certificate (filed as Exhibit
4b to the Company's Form SB-2 Registration Statement (No.
33-79292-C) declared effective by the Commission on July 20,
1994 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.4 Form of Warrant Agreement, including Form of Class A and
Class B Warrant Certificates (filed as Exhibit 4c to the
Company's Form SB-2 Registration Statement (No. 33-79292-C)
declared effective by the Commission on July 20, 1994 and
incorporated herein by reference).
4.5 Form of Unit Purchase Option of D.H. Blair Investment
Banking Corp. (filed as Exhibit 4d to the Company's Form
SB-2 Registration Statement (No. 33-79292-C) declared
effective by the Commission on July 20, 1994 and
incorporated herein by reference).
4.6 Rights Agreement by and between the Company and American
Stock Transfer and Trust Company (filed as Exhibit 4 to the
Company's Form 8-K filed April 14, 1998 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.1 Amended and Restated Voting Agreement, dated October 27,
1997 among the Company, Moovies, and directors and certain
officers of the Company and Moovies (filed as Exhibit 10 to
the Company's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October
31, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2 Amended and Restated Undertaking Agreement, dated October
27, 1997 among the Company, Moovies, Daniel A. Potter, John
M. Bedard and Daniel C. Howard (filed as Exhibit 10.2 of the
Company's Form S-4 Registration Statement filed with the
Commission on January 23, 1998 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.3 Form of 1998 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.3 of the
Company's Form S-4 Registration Statement filed with the
Commission on January 23, 1998 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.4 Agreement between Rentrak Corporation and the Company (filed
as Exhibit 10.4 of the Company's Form S-4 Registration
Statement filed with the Commission on January 23, 1998 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.5 Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and Daniel
C. Howard (filed as Exhibit 10.6 of the Company's Form S-4
Registration Statement filed with the Commission on January
23, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).
</TABLE>
43
<PAGE> 45
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
<S> <C>
10.6 Credit Agreement entered into as of March 6, 1998, among the
Company, Video Update Canada Inc., various lending
institutions and Banque Paribas, as agent (the "Credit
Agreement") (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 11,
1998 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.7 U.S. Pledge Agreement in favor of Banque Paribas, as
Collateral Agent, dated as of March 6, 1998 (filed as
Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
filed with the Commission on March 11, 1998 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.8 U.S. Security Agreement among the Company, Various U.S.
Subsidiaries of the Company, and Banque Paribas, as
Collateral Agent, dated as of March 6, 1998 (filed as
Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
filed with the Commission on March 11, 1998 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.9 Subsidiaries Guarantee Agreement among Various Subsidiaries
of the Company, and Banque Paribas, as Collateral Agent and
as Pledgee, dated as of March 6, 1998 (filed as Exhibit 10.4
to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
Commission on March 11, 1998 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.10 Warrant Purchase Agreement between the Company, and Banque
Paribas, Grand Cayman Branch, dated as of March 6, 1998
(filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 11, 1998 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.11 Warrant Agreement between the Company and Banque Paribas,
Grand Cayman Branch, dated as of March 6, 1998 (filed as
Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
filed with the Commission on March 11, 1998 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.12 Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and Banque
Paribas, Grand Cayman Branch, dated as of March 6, 1998
(filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 11, 1998 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.13 1996 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10a to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the fiscal
quarter ended July 31, 1996 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.14 Form of Franchise Offering Circular (filed as Exhibit 10b to
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the fiscal
quarter ended July 31, 1996 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.15 Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Daniel
A. Potter, effective as of April 30, 1998 (filed as Exhibit
10.15 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended April 30, 1998 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.16 Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and John
M. Bedard, effective as of April 30, 1998 (filed as Exhibit
10.16 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended April 30, 1998 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.17 Form of Merger and Acquisition Agreement between the Company
and D.H. Blair Investment Banking Corp. (filed as Exhibit
10a to the Company's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to its
Form SB-2 Registration Statement (No. 33-89018) originally
filed with the Commission on March 31, 1995 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.18 Form of Amendment to Warrant Agreement dated July 20, 1994
between the Company, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
and D.H. Blair Investment Banking Corp. (filed as Exhibit
10b to the Company's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to its
Form SB-2 Registration Statement (No. 33-89018) originally
filed with the Commission on March 31, 1995 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.19 Stock Exchange Agreement by and between the Company and
certain stockholders of Tinseltown Video, Inc. (filed as
Exhibit 10a to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
filed with the Commission on February 16, 1995 and
incorporated herein by reference).
</TABLE>
44
<PAGE> 46
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
<S> <C>
10.20 Formula Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10a to the
Company's Form SB-2 Registration Statement (No. 33-89018)
filed with the Commission on January 31, 1995 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.21 Form of Franchise Agreement between the Company and
Franchisees (filed as Exhibit 10d to the Company's Form SB-2
Registration Statement (No. 33-79292-C) declared effective
by the Commission on July 20, 1994 and incorporated herein
by reference).
10.22 Form of Consulting Agreement between the Company and D.H.
Blair Investment Banking Corp. (filed as Exhibit 10f to the
Company's Form SB-2 Registration Statement (No. 33-79292-C)
declared effective by the Commission on July 20, 1994 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.23 Form of Agency Agreement between the Company and D.H. Blair
Investment Banking Corp. (filed as Exhibit 10aa to the
Company's Form SB-2 Registration Statement (No. 33-79292-C)
declared effective by the Commission on July 20, 1994 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.24 1994 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10bb to the
Company's Form SB-2 Registration Statement (No. 33-79292-C)
declared effective by the Commission on July 20, 1994 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.25 Form of Second Amendment and Waiver to the Credit Agreement,
dated as of August 12, 1998 (filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended April 30, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.26 Form of First Amendment to Warrant Agreement between the
Company and Banque Paribas, dated as of August 12, 1998
(filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1998 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.27 Third Amendment to Credit Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1
to the Company's Form 10-Q filed March 17, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.28 Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2
to the Company's Form 10-Q filed March 17, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.29 Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.3
to the Company's Form 10-Q filed March 17, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.30 Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver (filed as
Exhibit 10a to the Company's Form 8-K filed July 1, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.31 Seventh Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver (filed as
Exhibit 10b to the Company's Form 8-K filed July 1, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.32 Form of Warrant between the Company and U.S. Bancorp Libra,
a division of U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. (filed as
Exhibit 4a to the Company's Form 8-K filed July 1, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.33 Form of Warrant between the Company and Existing Lenders
under the Credit Agreement (filed as Exhibit 4b to the
Company's Form 8-K filed July 1, 1999 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.34 Form of Warrant between the Company and C Term Loan
Participants under the Credit Agreement (filed as Exhibit 4c
to the Company's Form 8-K filed July 1, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.35 Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and U.S.
Bancorp Libra, a division of U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
and certain Investors dated June 23, 1999 (filed as Exhibit
4d to the Company's Form 8-K filed July 1, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.36 Warrant between the Company and Ingram Entertainment Inc.
dated May 11, 1999 (filed as Exhibit 10.36 to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April
30, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference).
</TABLE>
45
<PAGE> 47
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
<S> <C>
10.37 Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Company and
Ingram Entertainment Inc. dated May 11, 1999 (filed as
Exhibit 10.37 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1999 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.38 Promissory Note of the Company to the order of Ingram
Entertainment Inc. dated May 11, 1999 (filed as Exhibit
10.38 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended April 30, 1999 and incorporated herein by
reference).
+10.39 Revenue sharing Agreement dated as of November 20, 1998,
between the Company and the party named therein (filed as
Exhibit 10.39 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1999 and incorporated
herein by reference).
+10.40 Revenue sharing Agreement dated as of October 20, 1998,
between the Company and the party named therein (filed as
Exhibit 10.40 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1999 and incorporated
herein by reference).
+10.41 Revenue sharing Agreement dated as of July 22, 1998, between
the Company and the party named therein (filed as Exhibit
10.41 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended April 30, 1999 and incorporated herein by
reference).
+10.42 Revenue sharing Agreement dated as of June, 1998, between
the Company and the party named therein (filed as Exhibit
10.42 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended April 30, 1999 and incorporated herein by
reference).
+10.43 Revenue sharing Agreement dated as of June 1998, between the
Company and the party named therein (filed as Exhibit 10.43
to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended April 30, 1999 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.44 Employment Agreement dated as of April 8, 1999, between the
Company and Michael G. Schifsky (filed as Exhibit 10.44 to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended April 30, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.45 Employment Agreement dated as of April 20, 1999, between the
Company and Richard Bedard (filed as Exhibit 10.45 to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended April 30, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.46 Master Lease Agreement dated as of November 23, 1998 between
the Company and Heller Financial Leasing, Inc. (filed as
Exhibit 10.46 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1999 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.47 Employment Agreement dated as of October 1, 1999, between
the Company and Michael Gebauer (filed as Exhibit 10 to the
Company's Form 10-Q filed March 17, 1999 and incorporated
herein by reference).
16 Letter of Ernst & Young LLP (filed as Exhibit 16 to the
Company's Form 8-K filed February 3, 1999 and incorporated
herein by reference).
18.1 Letter on Change in Accounting Principles (filed as Exhibit
18 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
fiscal year ended April 30, 1996 and incorporated herein by
reference).
18.2 Letter on Change in Accounting Principles (filed as Exhibit
18.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended April 30, 1999 and incorporated herein by
reference).
21 List of the Company's Subsidiaries (filed as Exhibit 21 to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended April 30, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).
23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.2 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
</TABLE>
46
<PAGE> 48
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
<S> <C>
27.1 Financial Data Schedule.
27.2 Financial Data Schedule--Restated 1999.
</TABLE>
------------
+ Exhibits for which Company has sought confidential treatment for certain
portions. The confidential material in Exhibits 10.39, 10.40, 10.41, 10.42 and
10.43 has been redacted and separately filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the last quarter of
the period covered by this report.
47
<PAGE> 49
SIGNATURES
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934, AS AMENDED, THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REPORT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS
BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED.
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
Date: September 11, 2000
By: /s/ DANIEL A. POTTER
------------------------------------
DANIEL A. POTTER
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<C> <S> <C>
/s/ DANIEL A. POTTER Chairman and Chief Executive September 11, 2000
--------------------------------------------- Officer (Principal Executive
DANIEL A. POTTER Officer)
/s/ JOHN M. BEDARD President and Director September 11, 2000
---------------------------------------------
JOHN M. BEDARD
/s/ DANIEL C. HOWARD Chief Operations Officer and September 11, 2000
--------------------------------------------- Director
DANIEL C. HOWARD
/s/ MICHAEL P. GEBAUER Chief Financial Officer September 11, 2000
--------------------------------------------- (Principal Financial Officer)
MICHAEL P. GEBAUER
/s/ PAUL M. KELNBERGER Director September 11, 2000
---------------------------------------------
PAUL M. KELNBERGER
/s/ BERNARD R. PATRIACCA Director September 11, 2000
---------------------------------------------
BERNARD R. PATRIACCA
/s/ THEODORE J. COBURN Director September 11, 2000
---------------------------------------------
THEODORE J. COBURN
</TABLE>
48
<PAGE> 50
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Reports of Independent Auditors............................. F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 1999 and 2000... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000............................. F-5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
for the years ended April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000......... F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000............................. F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................. F-8
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE> 51
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Board of Directors
Video Update, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Video
Update, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of April 30, 2000 and 1999, and
the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity
(deficit), and cash flows for the years ended April 30, 2000 and 1999. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Video Update, Inc. and subsidiaries at April
30, 2000 and 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, in 1999
the Company changed its method of accounting for the amortization of its video
and game rental inventory.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the
Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the
consolidated financial statements, the Company's recurring losses from
operations, stockholders' capital deficiency, and failure to comply with certain
covenants and repayment provisions of its Senior Facility raise substantial
doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans
concerning these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements
do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this
uncertainty.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
September 1, 2000
F-2
<PAGE> 52
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Board of Directors
Video Update, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows of Video Update, Inc. for the year ended
April 30, 1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, these financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of Video Update,
Inc. for the year ended April 30, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
August 13, 1998
F-3
<PAGE> 53
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL 30, APRIL 30,
1999 2000
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents................................... $ 1,235 $ 1,763
Accounts receivable......................................... 3,826 1,823
Merchandise inventory....................................... 6,393 2,116
Video and game rental inventory--net........................ 45,040 38,976
Property and equipment--net................................. 59,395 42,801
Prepaid expenses............................................ 6,419 1,015
Goodwill--net............................................... 77,715 66,223
Other assets................................................ 7,185 5,311
--------- ---------
Total assets........................................... $ 207,208 $ 160,028
========= =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Notes payable............................................... $ 117,124 $ 138,440
Accounts payable............................................ 54,945 27,703
Accrued expenses............................................ 23,054 17,492
Accrued rent................................................ 7,118 6,671
Accrued compensation........................................ 8,062 5,520
--------- ---------
Total liabilities...................................... 210,303 195,826
--------- ---------
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share:
Authorized shares--5,000,000
Issued shares--none....................................... -- --
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share:
Authorized shares--60,000,000
Issued and outstanding shares--29,278,457 at April 30,
1999 and April 30, 2000................................ 293 293
Additional paid-in capital................................ 116,372 121,278
Accumulated deficit....................................... (118,045) (154,194)
Accumulated other comprehensive income.................... (1,715) (3,175)
--------- ---------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)................... (3,095) (35,798)
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)... $ 207,208 $ 160,028
========= =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-4
<PAGE> 54
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
---------------------------------
1998 1999 2000
-------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Rental revenue............................................ $138,279 $ 221,238 $196,283
Product sales............................................. 17,075 31,915 23,580
Service fees.............................................. 800 943 1,099
-------- --------- --------
156,154 254,096 220,962
Costs and expenses:
Store operating expenses.................................. 129,920 232,287 198,538
Selling, general and administrative....................... 25,223 26,179 20,816
Cost of product sales..................................... 9,809 20,257 14,637
Store closing charge...................................... 2,682 8,198 (5,420)
Adjustment in estimated liabilities....................... -- -- (4,545)
Inventory valuation charge................................ -- 50,629 --
Fixed asset valuation charge.............................. 1,596 6,600 4,314
Goodwill valuation charge................................. 804 -- 7,354
Amortization of goodwill.................................. 2,353 4,471 4,299
-------- --------- --------
172,387 348,621 239,993
-------- --------- --------
Operating loss.............................................. (16,233) (94,525) (19,031)
Interest expense............................................ (4,292) (13,695) (17,804)
Other income (expense)...................................... (71) 677 686
-------- --------- --------
(4,363) (13,018) (17,118)
-------- --------- --------
Loss before income taxes.................................... (20,596) (107,543) (36,149)
Income tax expense (benefit)................................ (6,116) 2,828 --
-------- --------- --------
Net loss.................................................... $(14,480) $(110,371) $(36,149)
======== ========= ========
Average number of common shares outstanding................. 20,412 29,278 29,278
======== ========= ========
Net loss per share, basic and diluted....................... $ (0.71) $ (3.77) $ (1.23)
======== ========= ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-5
<PAGE> 55
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARES)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RETAINED ACCUMULATED
CLASS A CLASS B ADDITIONAL EARNINGS OTHER OFFICERS'
COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK PAID-IN (ACCUMULATED) COMPREHENSIVE NOTES
------------------- ------------------- CAPITAL (DEFICIT) INCOME RECEIVABLE
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF ---------- ------------- ------------- ----------
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT AMOUNT AMOUNT AMOUNT AMOUNT
---------- ------ ---------- ------ ---------- ------------- ------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at April 30,
1997................... 18,170,341 $182 2,000,000 $ 20 $ 86,085 $ 6,806 $ (421) $(1,680)
Adjustment of shares
issued in
acquisition............ (65,811) -- -- -- (500) -- -- --
Issuance of shares in
connection with the
Moovies acquisition.... 9,303,927 93 -- -- 28,107 -- -- --
Release, partial
forfeiture and
conversion of escrow
shares................. 1,170,000 11 (1,300,000) (13) 3,546 -- -- --
Issuance of warrants in
connection with the
Senior Facility........ -- -- -- -- 1,730 -- -- --
Conversion of Class B to
Class A Common Stock... 700,000 7 (700,000) (7) -- -- -- --
Acquisition related
deficiency payments.... -- -- -- -- (1,327) -- -- --
Forgiveness of officers
note receivable........ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1,680
Comprehensive Income:
Net income (loss)...... -- -- -- -- -- (14,480) -- --
Foreign currency
translation.......... -- -- -- -- -- -- (540) --
Total comprehensive
income (loss)...... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- ---- ---------- ---- -------- --------- ------- -------
Balance at April 30,
1998................... 29,278,457 293 -- -- 117,641 (7,674) (961) --
Revaluation of stock
warrants............... -- -- -- -- 192 -- -- --
Acquisition related
deficiencies........... -- -- -- -- (1,461) -- -- --
Comprehensive Income:
Net income (loss)...... -- -- -- -- -- (110,371) -- --
Foreign currency
translation.......... -- -- -- -- -- -- (754) --
Total comprehensive
income (loss)...... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- ---- ---------- ---- -------- --------- ------- -------
Balance at April 30,
1999................... 29,278,457 $293 -- $ -- $116,372 $(118,045) $(1,715) $ --
Acquisition related
deficiencies........... -- -- -- -- (10) -- -- --
Issuance of warrants in
connection with the
Senior Facility........ -- -- -- -- 4,414 -- -- --
Issuance of warrants in
connection with Ingram
Entertainment.......... -- -- -- -- 502 -- -- --
Comprehensive Income:
Net income (loss)...... -- -- -- -- -- (36,149) -- --
Foreign currency
translation.......... -- -- -- -- -- -- (1,460) --
Total comprehensive
income (loss)...... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- ---- ---------- ---- -------- --------- ------- -------
Balance at April 30,
2000................... 29,278,457 $293 -- $ -- $121,278 $(154,194) $(3,175) $ --
========== ==== ========== ==== ======== ========= ======= =======
<CAPTION>
TOTAL
---------
<S> <C>
Balance at April 30,
1997................... $ 90,992
Adjustment of shares
issued in
acquisition............ (500)
Issuance of shares in
connection with the
Moovies acquisition.... 28,200
Release, partial
forfeiture and
conversion of escrow
shares................. 3,544
Issuance of warrants in
connection with the
Senior Facility........ 1,730
Conversion of Class B to
Class A Common Stock... --
Acquisition related
deficiency payments.... (1,327)
Forgiveness of officers
note receivable........ 1,680
Comprehensive Income:
Net income (loss)...... (14,480)
Foreign currency
translation.......... (540)
---------
Total comprehensive
income (loss)...... (15,020)
---------
Balance at April 30,
1998................... 109,299
Revaluation of stock
warrants............... 192
Acquisition related
deficiencies........... (1,461)
Comprehensive Income:
Net income (loss)...... (110,371)
Foreign currency
translation.......... (754)
---------
Total comprehensive
income (loss)...... (111,125)
---------
Balance at April 30,
1999................... $ (3,095)
Acquisition related
deficiencies........... (10)
Issuance of warrants in
connection with the
Senior Facility........ 4,414
Issuance of warrants in
connection with Ingram
Entertainment.......... 502
Comprehensive Income:
Net income (loss)...... (36,149)
Foreign currency
translation.......... (1,460)
---------
Total comprehensive
income (loss)...... (37,609)
---------
Balance at April 30,
2000................... $ (35,798)
=========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-6
<PAGE> 56
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
---------------------------------
1998 1999 2000
-------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating activities
Net loss.................................................. $(14,480) $(110,371) $(36,149)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization........................ 48,459 81,342 59,973
Deferred income taxes................................ (4,356) 2,592 --
Loss on disposal of fixed assets..................... -- -- 1,851
Inventory valuation charge........................... -- 50,629 --
Adjustment of estimated liabilities.................. -- -- (4,545)
Goodwill valuation charge............................ 804 -- 7,354
Fixed asset valuation charge......................... 1,596 6,600 4,314
Compensation expense from release of escrow shares... 3,546 -- --
Compensation expense related to restated employment
agreements........................................ 7,161 458 --
Store closing charge (reversal)...................... 2,682 8,198 (5,420)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of
acquisitions of businesses:
Accounts receivable.................................. (191) 911 2,003
Merchandise inventory................................ (960) 1,977 4,277
Income taxes......................................... (3,397) 2,430 --
Other assets......................................... (5,873) (4,316) 5,602
Accounts payable..................................... 6,770 17,010 (2,302)
Accrued rent......................................... 2,834 2,045 (447)
Accrued liabilities.................................. (1,190) 1,050 (1,384)
-------- --------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities............ 43,405 60,555 35,127
Investing activities Purchase of video and game rental
inventory................................................. (61,752) (63,060) (36,512)
Purchase of property and equipment........................ (17,458) (12,962) (1,186)
Disposal of property and equipment........................ -- -- 487
Proceeds from sale-leaseback.............................. -- 5,000 --
Investment in businesses, net of cash acquired............ 3,027 -- (171)
Payment of deficiency on stock guarantee.................. (1,327) (241) --
-------- --------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities................ (77,510) (71,263) (37,382)
Financing activities Proceeds from notes payable............ 103,700 27,300 30,950
Payments of notes payable................................. (20,046) (16,036) (26,707)
Payment of acquisition debt............................... (50,000) -- --
-------- --------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities............ 33,654 11,264 4,243
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash..................... (540) (754) (1,460)
-------- --------- --------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents............ (991) (198) 528
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year.......... 2,424 1,433 1,235
-------- --------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year................ $ 1,433 $ 1,235 $ 1,763
======== ========= ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-7
<PAGE> 57
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 1998, 1999 AND 2000
1. COMPANY BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Management's Plan to Continue as a Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a
going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and
satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. As shown in the
accompanying financial statements, the Company has incurred losses from
operations of $14,480,000, $110,371,000, and $36,149,000 for the years ended
April 30, 1998, 1999, and 2000, respectively, and as of April 30, 1999 and 2000
the Company had stockholders' capital deficiency of $3,095,000 and $35,798,000,
respectively. In addition, as discussed in Note 9 of Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements, as of April 30, 2000, the Company is not in compliance
with certain of the financial covenants of its Senior Facility and on August 15,
2000, the Company defaulted on the payment of principal and interest due under
the terms of its Senior Facility. These factors, among others, raise substantial
doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
The Company has no available borrowings under its Senior Facility or any
other similar facility. The lenders under the Senior Facility may, but are not
obliged to, take immediate legal action against the Company, including but not
limited to, acceleration of payment of all borrowed funds and such other
remedies as may be available under the loan documents or common or statutory
law. The Company also has overdue liabilities and is engaged in litigation with
several parties. Under these circumstances, a number of the Company's contracts
and supply arrangements, including but not limited to its revenue sharing
contracts, may be subject to termination.
The Company is currently in discussions with its lenders regarding the
default under its Senior Facility. In addition, it is evaluating various
alternatives to raise cash, including the possible sale of assets. To date, the
Company has been able to obtain product either directly from movie studios or
independent distributors and management believes this will continue. The Company
will continue to focus on reducing the aged accounts payable with payments, the
extension of terms, and negotiated settlements.
The Company has closed numerous stores that had an adverse impact on cash
flows. The Company has restructured its revenue sharing arrangements to
eliminate mandatory purchases of tapes that management does not believe will
generate adequate rental volume. The Company has and continues to focus on cost
reductions.
The Company is uncertain whether cash from operations, trade credits,
equipment leases, and available revenue sharing arrangements will be sufficient
to fund future inventory purchases and other working capital needs for the next
twelve months. If the Company is unable to obtain additional financing or
maintain its relationships with its vendors and trade creditors, the Company may
be required to reduce its overall expenditures and the Company's ability to
maintain or expand its current level of operations will be materially and
adversely affected.
Given the foregoing, no assurances can be given that the Company will be
able to maintain its current level of operations, or that its financial
condition and prospects will not be materially and adversely effected over the
next twelve months. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that
might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Nature of Business
Video Update, Inc. and subsidiaries ("Video Update" or the "Company") own
and operate retail video stores and sell and support retail video franchises.
Company-owned stores are located in the United States and Canada with franchises
located exclusively in the United States. The Company operates in one reportable
operating segment.
F-8
<PAGE> 58
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Consolidation
The accompanying financial statements present the consolidated financial
position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company. All inter-company
accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in
the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The most
significant estimates and assumptions relate to the amortization methods and
useful lives of video and game rental inventory and goodwill. These estimates
and assumptions could change and actual results could differ from these
estimates.
Basis of Presentation
The Company utilizes an unclassified balance sheet presentation. This
format was adopted on the basis that the video and game rental inventory
represents assets used by the Company to generate current operating income, and
management believes that to classify all of these costs as non-current would be
misleading to the readers of the financial statements because it would not
indicate the level of assets expected to be converted into cash in the next year
as a result of the rentals of the videos and games.
Service Fees
The Company receives continuing monthly royalty and other fee revenue from
its franchisees based on a percentage of the franchisees' gross monthly revenue.
Royalty fee and other fee revenues will continue for the initial terms of the
franchise agreements, after which the revenues will be based upon renewed
franchise agreements.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a remaining
maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Merchandise Inventory
Merchandise inventory is stated at the lower of cost (first in, first out)
or market. Inventory consists of videocassettes, DVD's, and games held for sale,
supplies and concessions.
Video and Game Rental Inventory
Video rental inventory is stated at cost, and is amortized over the
estimated economic life as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF COPIES
OF TITLE PER STORE AMORTIZATION POLICY
------------------ -------------------
<S> <C>
One through three............................ Accelerated basis to a net book value of
$8.00 over the first three months and then
straight-line over 33 months to a salvage
value of $4.00 per video.
Four and over................................ Accelerated basis to a net book value of
$4.00 over the first three months and then
fully amortized on a straight-line basis over
nine months.
</TABLE>
Game rental inventory is amortized on a straight-line basis to $10.00 over
12 months then straight-line over six months to a salvage value of $4.00 per
game.
F-9
<PAGE> 59
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Property and Equipment
Furniture and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the
straight-line method over the estimated economic life of the asset of five to
ten years. Leasehold improvements are recorded at cost and depreciated using the
straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated economic life or the lease
term.
Goodwill
Goodwill, consisting principally of excess cost over net assets from the
acquisitions of businesses, is net of accumulated amortization of approximately
$9,592,000 and $14,053,000 at April 30, 1999 and 2000, respectively and is being
amortized on a straight-line basis over 20 years.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes."
Deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences of
differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of assets and
liabilities. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets to the
extent the realization of such benefits is not deemed more likely then not.
Stock-based Compensation
The Company has adopted the disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," for its employee based compensation
plans. The Company has elected to recognize compensation expense for its stock
based compensation plans in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion
No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." Accordingly, no compensation
expense is recognized for stock options with exercise prices equal to, or in
excess of, the market value of the underlying shares of stock at the date of
grant.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of" prescribes the accounting treatment for
long-lived assets, identifiable intangibles and goodwill related to those assets
when there are indications that the carrying values of those assets may not be
recoverable. In performing such review for recoverability, the Company compares
the expected future cash flows to the carrying value of long-lived assets and
identifiable intangibles. If the anticipated undiscounted future cash flows are
less than the carrying amount of such assets (see Notes 4, 5, and 8 of the Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements), the Company's carrying amount will be
reduced to its estimated fair value for assets held for use and reduced to its
estimated fair value less cost to sell for assets held for sale.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
At April 30, 1999 and 2000, the carrying value of financial instruments
such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and
notes payable approximated their fair values (see Note 18 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements).
Revenue Recognition
Revenue on videos and games is recognized at the time of rental or sale.
F-10
<PAGE> 60
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Loss Per Share
For the years ended April 30, 1998, 1999, and 2000, the Company had
employee stock options to purchase Class A Common Shares at exercise prices from
$0.25 to $10.00 of 2,202,702, 1,643,000, and 3,165,000, respectively. The
effects of these options are anti-dilutive in all periods presented. As such,
the amounts are not included in the calculation of diluted loss per share.
Reclassification
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial
statements to conform with the 2000 presentation.
New Accounting Standards
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standard No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities", which provides guidance on accounting for derivative
and hedge transactions. The statement is effective for the Company in fiscal
year 2002. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this
pronouncement will have a material impact on its reported financial position or
operating results.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition". The statement is effective
for the Company in fiscal year 2001. The Company does not anticipate that the
adoption of the guidelines in this pronouncement will have a material impact on
reported operating results.
2. CHANGE IN AMORTIZATION METHOD FOR VIDEO AND GAME RENTAL INVENTORY
Effective February 1, 1999, the Company changed the amortization policy for
videos (see Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). The
adoption of the new method of amortization has been accounted for as a change in
accounting estimate effected by a change in accounting principle.
Prior to February 1, 1999, base stock videos were amortized over 36 months
on a straight-line basis to a salvage value of $6.00 per video; the fourth
through ninth copies of each title per store were amortized straight-line over
six months to a book value of $6.00 and then fully amortized straight-line over
30 months; the tenth and any succeeding copies of each title per store were
amortized straight-line over six months to a book value of $6.00 and then fully
amortized straight-line over three months. Video games were fully amortized
straight-line over a period of 36 months.
The new method accelerates the rate of amortization and has been adopted as
a result of revenue sharing agreements with studios, which have increased the
copy-depth, which is satisfying consumer demand over a shorter period of time.
The Company believes accelerating expense recognition during the first three
months more closely matches the new business model of higher revenue generated
following a title's release. Under the new accounting method, the Company
expenses revenue sharing payments as revenues are earned pursuant to contractual
arrangements.
The new method of accounting has been applied to rental inventory held as
of February 1, 1999. The Company recorded a pre-tax charge of approximately
$50,629,000 to operating expenses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999. The
effect of the change had the impact of decreasing inventory and increasing
amortization expense through a one-time charge.
3. MOOVIES, INC. ACQUISITION
In March 1998 the Company completed the acquisition of Moovies, Inc.
("Moovies") in a tax-free reorganization, whereby Moovies stockholders received
.75 shares of Video Update Class A Common Stock in
F-11
<PAGE> 61
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
exchange for each share of Moovies common stock. Video Update issued
approximately 9.3 million shares in this transaction. The acquisition was
accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and the excess of the cost
over the estimated fair value of the assets acquired, estimated to be
approximately $46,291,000, is being amortized over 20 years.
In March 1998, in conjunction with the Moovies transaction, the
stockholders approved the termination and cancellation of the Escrow Agreement
by and among American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, Video Update and certain
stockholders of Video Update. As a result: (i) 10% or 130,000 of the 1,300,000
shares of Class B Common Stock held in escrow were forfeited; (ii) the remaining
1,170,000 shares of common stock were released from escrow, resulting in a
one-time compensation expense charge of approximately $3,546,000 which the
Company recognized as selling, general and administrative expense in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1998; and, (iii) all 1,870,000 shares of Class B Common Stock
were converted into Class A Common Stock and the preferential voting rights were
eliminated.
4. PROVISION FOR STORE CLOSING AND OTHER CHARGES
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company began and completed
an extensive analysis of its base store performance and adopted a business
restructuring plan to close approximately 24 of its stores. This analysis
resulted in the Company recording a pretax charge of approximately $2,700,000
for future cash outlays for lease terminations and miscellaneous closing costs.
Additionally, the Company recorded a pretax charge of approximately $1,600,000
and $800,000 for the impairment of certain fixed assets and of goodwill,
respectively, related to these stores. Activity relating to the closing of these
stores is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 RESTRUCTURING PLAN
--------------------------
FISCAL 1999 FISCAL 2000
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Beginning balance....................................... $2,700,000 $890,000
Store closing payments.................................. (473,000) (247,000)
Increase in estimated reserve........................... -- 269,000
Decrease in estimated reserve........................... (1,337,000) (342,000)
---------- --------
Ending balance.......................................... $ 890,000 $570,000
========== ========
</TABLE>
As of April 30, 1999, 21 of these stores were closed and two stores were
determined to remain open with related accruals reversed. During fiscal 2000,
one additional store was determined to remain open and the related accrual was
reversed. As of April 30, 2000, 19 stores had definitive lease obligation
settlements and two stores had accruals for management's estimate of the cost to
settle the outstanding lease obligation.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999, the Company began and completed
an extensive analysis of each store's performance and adopted a business
restructuring plan to close approximately 70 of its stores. This analysis
resulted in the Company recording a pretax charge of approximately $9,535,000
for future cash outlays for lease terminations and miscellaneous closing costs
and a pretax charge of approximately $6,600,000 for the impairment of furniture,
equipment, and leasehold improvements related to these stores. Additionally, the
Company reclassified approximately $891,000 of previously accrued rent to the
restructure reserve at April 30, 1999. The revenues of stores identified for
closure were approximately $11,592,000, $17,742,000 and
F-12
<PAGE> 62
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
$5,225,000 for the fiscal years ended April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000,
respectively. Activity relating to the closing of these stores is summarized as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 RESTRUCTURING PLAN
FISCAL 2000
-----------------------
<S> <C>
Beginning balance......................................... $10,426,000
Store closing payments.................................... (3,743,000)
Increase in estimated reserve............................. 991,000
Decrease in estimated reserve............................. (6,338,000)
-----------
Ending balance............................................ $ 1,336,000
===========
</TABLE>
As of April 30, 2000, 60 of these stores had been closed and ten stores
were determined to remain open with related accruals reversed. Of the stores
closed, 55 had definitive lease obligation settlements and five had accruals for
management's estimate of the cost to settle the outstanding lease obligation.
5. GOODWILL VALUATION CHARGE
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, during the course of the
Company's strategic review of its prior acquisitions, the Company recorded a
pretax charge of $7,354,000 relating to the impairment of certain intangible
assets held for use when it was determined that future undiscounted cash flows
associated with these assets were insufficient to recover their carrying value.
The impaired assets principally represent the Company's ownership interest in
the acquired stores. The assets were written down to fair market value, which
was determined on the basis of the present value of future cash flows.
6. ADJUSTMENT OF ESTIMATED LIABILITIES
During fiscal year 2000, the Company resolved various disputed vendor
accounts, including a legal settlement (see Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements). The positive resolution of these disputed amounts
previously accrued as of April 30, 1999 resulted in a reduction of outstanding
liabilities of approximately $5,550,000 of which $1,005,000 reduced fixed assets
and $4,545,000 was recorded as a reduction of operating expenses.
7. VIDEO AND GAME RENTAL INVENTORY--NET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL 30,
----------------------
1999 2000
--------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Video and game rental inventory........................ $ 232,374 $ 263,322
Accumulated amortization............................... (187,334) (224,346)
--------- ---------
$ 45,040 $ 38,976
========= =========
</TABLE>
Amortization expense for video and game rental inventory, which is included
in store operating expenses, was $37,614,000, $63,781,000 and $42,576,000 for
the years ended April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively. Accumulated
amortization at April 30, 1999 and 2000 also includes $50,629,000 related to the
valuation charge (see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
F-13
<PAGE> 63
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
8. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT--NET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL 30,
--------------------
1999 2000
-------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Land..................................................... $ 488 $ 488
Buildings................................................ 1,403 1,403
Furniture and equipment.................................. 43,463 36,361
Leasehold improvements................................... 36,204 34,432
Accumulated depreciation................................. (29,883) (22,163)
-------- --------
$ 59,395 $ 42,801
======== ========
</TABLE>
Depreciation expense was $6,880,000, $11,370,000, and $10,369,000 for the
years ended April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively.
In fiscal 2000, during the course of the Company's strategic review of its
operations, the Company recorded a pretax charge of $4,314,000 relating to the
impairment of furniture, equipment, and leasehold improvements to be held and
used when it was determined that future undiscounted cash flows associated with
these assets were insufficient to recover their carrying value. The assets were
written down to fair market value, which was determined on the basis of future
discounted cash flows.
9. NOTES PAYABLE
Simultaneously with the closing of the Moovies transaction in March 1998 a
syndicate lead by Banque Paribas extended a $120 million Senior Facility (the
"Senior Facility"), which replaced the previous revolving credit facility.
During fiscal year 1999 the Senior Facility was reduced to $115 million.
In May 1999, the Company and the bank syndicate amended the terms of the
Senior Facility to; (i) increase the overall Senior Facility with a new tranche
of C Term loans (Term C Debt) in the aggregate amount of $10.5 million; (ii)
revise certain financial covenants; (iii) revise and defer certain principal
payments; (iv) increase the overall interest rate by 0.75%; and (v) reflect the
issuance of 7,481,250 common stock warrants at $0.08719 per share expiring June
2006. The warrants were recorded as a discount on debt based on the Black
Scholes assessed fair market value at the date of issuance. Loan fees paid of
approximately $809,000 have been capitalized and are being amortized over the
life of the Term C Debt.
The notes payable balance consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL 30,
--------------------------------
1998 1999 2000
-------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Senior Facility with banks consisting of three term loans of
$52,500,000, $42,500,000 and $10,500,000; variable
interest payable based on LIBOR plus approximately 500
additional basis points at April 30, 2000 at 11.19%,
11.40% and 12.00%, respectively; with principal payments
beginning in May 1999, May 1999 and balloon payment in May
2006, respectively, and maturing in April 2002, April 2003
and May 2006, respectively. Secured by substantially all
assets of the Company..................................... $ 95,000 $ 95,000 $104,103
Capital expenditure loan with banks; variable interest
payable April 30, 2000 at 11.15%; with monthly payments
beginning July 2000, and final maturity April 2002.
Secured by substantially all assets of the Company..... 4,500 15,000 15,000
</TABLE>
F-14
<PAGE> 64
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL 30,
--------------------------------
1998 1999 2000
-------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revolving loan with banks; interest payable April 30, 2000
at 11.14%; maturity April 2002. Secured by
substantially all assets of the Company................ 4,200 5,000 5,000
Note payable with interest at 8.75% (see Note 18)......... 2,000 2,000 2,000
Note payable in monthly installments of $9,940 until
January 2001, with a balloon payment of approximately
$389,000, interest at 11.00%. The note is secured by a
mortgage and specific assets of the Company............ 507 481 434
Note payable with monthly installments of approximately
$1,000 with interest rate of 12.00% maturing in May
1999................................................... 11 1 --
Discount on debt for 9,481,250 warrants................... (1,730) (1,468) (5,332)
Note payable in monthly installments of $500,184 with
interest rate of 12.00% maturing in July 2002.......... -- -- 11,402
Note payable in weekly installments of $40,000 with
interest rate of 8.00% maturing in December 2002....... -- -- 4,951
Note payable in monthly installments of $52,000 maturing
in August 2001......................................... -- -- 832
Note payable in monthly installments of $100,000 and
weekly installments of $20,000 with interest rate of
9.00% maturing in May 2000............................. -- 1,110 50
-------- -------- --------
$104,488 $117,124 $138,440
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
The weighted-average interest rate on borrowings outstanding was 9.29%,
9.33% and 11.00% at April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively.
The aggregate maturities of the notes payable at April 30, 2000 are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C>
2001........................................................ $133,861
2002........................................................ 7,662
2003........................................................ 2,249
--------
143,772
Discount on debt............................................ (5,332)
--------
$138,440
========
</TABLE>
The Senior Facility replaced the Company's previous $60 million revolving
credit facility. At April 30, 2000, the Senior Facility consists of the
following: (i) three term loans totaling $104.1 million; (ii) a $15 million
capital expenditure line; and (iii) a $5 million revolving line. The Company
borrowed the $95 million under the two term loans in conjunction with the
closing of the Moovies merger and the proceeds were used to refinance the
current indebtedness of Moovies and Video Update and pay transaction expenses.
The capital expenditure line was primarily available to fund the conversion of
the Moovies stores and integration costs, the opening of new stores and selected
acquisitions. In fiscal year 1999, the Senior Facility was amended to modify the
terms of the capital expenditure line to allow usage for working capital needs.
The revolving line is available for normal working capital needs. The facility
is secured by all of the Company's assets. In connection with the original
Senior Facility, the Company also issued five year warrants to Banque Paribas to
purchase 1,000,000 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock at an exercise
price of $2.68.
F-15
<PAGE> 65
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The warrants were valued at $1,730,000 and resulted in an increase in paid in
capital and corresponding discount on debt. In fiscal year 1999, the warrants
were repriced to a more current market price in conjunction with amendments to
the Senior Facility as described above. This discount, as well as related loan
fees of approximately $4,337,000, is being amortized over the life of the Senior
Facility.
The Senior Facility includes negative, affirmative and financial covenants
including, but not limited to, minimum free cash flow, consolidated indebtedness
to consolidated free cash flow, maximum leverage, minimum fixed charge coverage,
a prohibition or restriction on capital expenditures, debt and guarantees, liens
and encumbrances on any property, mergers, consolidations, investments,
advances, divestitures, change of business or conduct of business, joint
ventures, partnerships, the creation of new subsidiaries, dividends,
distributions, repurchases or redemptions of outstanding stock (including
options or warrants), the voluntary prepayment, repurchase redemption or
defeasance of debt, and the acquisition, sale or transfer, lease or sale-
leaseback of assets. The Senior Facility is secured by substantially all of the
Company's assets as well as by pledges of its stock in its subsidiaries, which
subsidiaries also have provided guarantees of the Company's obligations. As of
April 30, 2000, the Company was in default of several of the above financial
covenants. As of August 15, 2000, the Company is in default for non-payment of
approximately $6 million in principal and interest.
In May 1999, the Company provided a 12% interest bearing promissory note to
a major vendor for $14,000,000 for the settlement of accounts payable, which is
to be repaid in monthly installments through May 2002. The remaining balance at
April 30, 2000 is approximately $11,402,000. The Company also issued warrants to
purchase 1,000,000 shares of Class A common stock at $0.81 per share, which
expires May 2004. The warrants were recorded as a discount on debt based on the
Black Scholes assesses fair market value at the date of issuance.
Also in fiscal 2000, the Company provided a $6,500,000 interest bearing
promissory note to a vendor for the settlement of accounts payable. The note
bears interest of 8% and is payable in weekly installments through December
2002, and has a remaining balance at April 30, 2000 of approximately $4,951,000.
Additionally, the Company provided a $1,336,000 note payable to a vendor for the
settlement of accounts payable. The note is payable in monthly installments
through August 2002, and has a remaining balance at April 30, 2000 of
approximately $832,000.
10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Family members of certain stockholders and a Company director own a
majority interest at April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000 in three, three and two
franchise stores, respectively. The amount of service fees earned from these
franchisees was approximately $73,000, $103,000 and $93,000 for the years ended
April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively. The amount due from the franchisees
at April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000 approximated $73,000, $19,000 and $24,000,
respectively.
During the years ended April 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000, the Company incurred
expenses of approximately $561,000, $270,000 and $370,000 respectively, to
Johnson, West & Co., PLC ("Johnson, West & Co.") for accounting and tax
services. A director of the Company is a member of Johnson, West & Co.
During fiscal 1996, each of Messrs. Potter and Bedard issued notes (at an
interest rate of 8% per annum) to the Company (the "Recourse Notes") in
connection with stock option exercises. In fiscal 1998, 1999, and 2000, Mr.
Potter's Recourse Note accrued interest of $151,694, $147,097, and $69,273,
respectively, and Mr. Bedard's Recourse Note accrued interest of $84,275,
$81,721, and $79,593, respectively. At April 30, 1999 and 2000, Mr. Potter's
Recourse Note balance was approximately $2,227,244 and $0, respectively, and Mr.
Bedard's Recourse Note balance was approximately $1,237,358 and $1,212,000,
respectively. The
F-16
<PAGE> 66
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Company's Board of Directors has approved the accrual of bonuses to satisfy the
Recourse Notes and interest thereon, as well as the anticipated payroll tax
liability to the executives as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ENDED APRIL 30 BONUS
--------------------------- ------------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Daniel A. Potter................................ 2000 $ 138,546
Chairman and 1999 $ 294,195
Chief Executive Officer 1998 $4,603,665
John M. Bedard.................................. 2000 $ 159,186
President and Director 1999 $ 163,442
1998 $2,557,590
</TABLE>
During fiscal 2000, the Company paid all of its previously accrued payroll
tax obligations related to Mr. Potter's Recourse Note and expects to complete
its similar obligations with respect to Mr. Bedard's Recourse Note by December
31, 2000.
Amounts shown in 1998 reflect the bonus amounts accrued by the Company in
conjunction with Messrs. Potter and Bedard's restated employment agreements. In
1999, the Company accrued bonus amounts for Messrs. Potter and Bedard intended
to cover their respective obligations related to the Recourse Notes. In 2000,
the Company accrued bonus amounts for Messrs. Potter and Bedard intended to
cover their respective obligations related to the Recourse Notes.
The resultant accrual for compensation expense has been recorded as an
offset to the officers' loan obligations, with the balance of the accrual
included in accrued compensation in the balance sheet as of April 30, 1999 and
2000.
Amounts totaling $524,945 and $291,635 were paid to Messrs. Potter and
Bedard respectively in fiscal 1998 as reimbursement of previous payments of
principal and interest on their recourse notes to the Company and accompanying
tax liabilities.
During fiscal 2000, the Company acquired a retail store previously operated
by a Video Update franchisee who is a family member of a Company director. The
purchase price for the store was $250,000.
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Lease Agreements
The Company leases office and retail space under operating leases with
terms of six to 204 months. These leases generally have a term of three to ten
years and provide options to renew for periods ranging from three to five
additional years. Under the leasing agreements, the Company is generally
responsible for the real estate taxes, insurance, and other expenses related to
the property. The leases expire at varying dates through 2015. The Company also
leases vehicles and computer equipment.
In November 1998, the Company entered into a sale-leaseback arrangement
with respect to certain of its furniture, fixtures, equipment and signage used
in selected retail locations. Under the arrangement the Company obtained
approximately $5.0 million. The gain on the transaction was not significant.
F-17
<PAGE> 67
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
At April 30, 2000, minimum annual rental commitments under non-cancelable
operating leases are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN
THOUSANDS)
<S> <C>
2001........................................................ $ 42,052
2002........................................................ 32,699
2003........................................................ 28,611
2004........................................................ 26,634
2005........................................................ 23,948
Thereafter.................................................. 62,423
--------
Total minimum lease payments........................... $216,367
========
</TABLE>
Rent expense, principally retail and office space, under operating leases
amounted to $28,180,000, $47,201,000 and $42,484,000 for the years ended April
30, 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively,
12. INCOME TAXES
Loss before income taxes consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
---------------------------------
1998 1999 2000
-------- --------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
United States............................................... $(21,308) $ (94,635) $(38,067)
Canada...................................................... 712 (12,908) 1,918
-------- --------- --------
Net loss before income taxes................................ $(20,596) $(107,543) $(36,149)
======== ========= ========
</TABLE>
Income tax (benefit) expense is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
-------------------------------
1998 1999 2000
------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current:
Federal................................................... $(1,812) $ 154 $ --
State..................................................... 52 100 --
Canada.................................................... -- -- --
------- -------- --------
(1,760) 254 --
Deferred:
Federal................................................... (3,706) (30,093) (10,306)
State..................................................... (1,062) (5,786) (1,934)
Canada.................................................... 412 (5,695) 898
------- -------- --------
(4,356) (41,574) (11,342)
Less: Increase in valuation allowance..................... -- 44,148 11,342
------- -------- --------
(4,356) 2,574 --
------- -------- --------
Total income tax expense (benefit).......................... $(6,116) $ 2,828 $ --
======= ======== ========
</TABLE>
F-18
<PAGE> 68
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Components of the net deferred tax asset, resulting from differences in
book and income tax accounting methods, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF APRIL 30,
--------------------
1999 2000
-------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred income tax assets:
Book over tax depreciation and amortization............... $ 9,853 $ 12,384
Book over tax deferred expense............................ 738 952
Book over tax rent expense................................ 2,339 2,244
Book over tax deferred revenue............................ 25 26
Book over tax employment related accruals................. 2,586 755
Net operating loss carryforwards.......................... 24,372 37,853
Book over tax restructuring and other accruals............ 4,235 1,276
-------- --------
Deferred income tax assets............................. 44,148 55,490
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance...................... (44,148) (55,490)
-------- --------
Net deferred income tax assets.............................. $ -- $ --
======== ========
</TABLE>
The reconciliation of the federal statutory rate (34%) to the Company's
effective income tax rate is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
-----------------------------
1998 1999 2000
----- ----- -----
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Federal tax at statutory rate............................... (34.0)% (34.0)% (34.0)%
State tax, net of federal benefit........................... (3.3) (3.6) (3.6)
Release of escrow shares.................................... 5.8 0.0 0.0
Canada...................................................... 0.5 (1.3) 0.5
Goodwill amortization....................................... 0.7 0.3 1.2
Other....................................................... 0.6 0.0 4.1
Change in valuation allowance............................... 0.0 41.2 31.8
----- ----- -----
(29.7)% 2.6% 0.0%
===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
Realization of the future tax benefits related to the deferred assets is
dependent on many factors, including the Company's ability to generate taxable
income within the net operating loss carryforward period. Management has
considered these factors in reaching its conclusion as to the valuation
allowance for financial reporting purposes.
At April 30, 2000, the Company has United States federal and state tax loss
carryforwards of approximately $118 million which expire between the years 2007
to 2015. Approximately $19 million of the net operating loss carryforward is
limited to $1.5 million each year in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code.
F-19
<PAGE> 69
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
13. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
-----------------------------
1998 1999 2000
------- ------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Interest paid............................................... $ 3,223 $12,345 $13,807
Income taxes paid (refunded)................................ $ 1,725 $(2,175) $ --
Common stock issued in Moovies acquisition.................. $28,200 $ -- $ --
</TABLE>
Non-Cash Transaction
In fiscal year 2000, the Company settled legal matters with three vendors
resulting in the conversion of accounts payable of approximately $21,836,000 to
notes payable.
14. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Class A Common Stock; Class B Common Stock
In connection with the Company's initial public offering, all of the
holders of the Company's Class B Common Stock placed on a pro rata basis, an
aggregate of 1,300,000 shares (the "Escrow Shares") into escrow. As a result of
the Stockholders' vote to release 90% of the shares from escrow in fiscal 1998,
the remaining 130,000 shares were forfeited. The shares released from escrow and
the remaining 700,000 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding were converted
into Class A Common Stock. As a result, as of April 30, 1999 and 2000, there
were no shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding.
The Securities and Exchange Commission requires that the release of the
Escrow Shares to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company
be recognized as compensation expense in the statement of operations with a
corresponding offset as an increase to additional paid-in capital. As such,
stockholders' equity in total did not change. The expense of $3,546,000 was
equal to the fair market value of the Escrow Shares on the date of release.
Shareholders' Rights Agreement
In April 1998, the Board of Directors approved the declaration of a
dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each outstanding
share of Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Shares")
and for each outstanding Class B Warrant ("Warrants"), of the Company. The
dividend was paid on April 24, 1998 (the "Record Date") to the stockholders and
Class B Warrant holders of record on that date. Each Right entitles the
registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Preferred Shares"), of the Company at a price of $20.00 per one one-hundredth
of a Preferred Share (the "Purchase Price") subject to adjustment.
Until the earlier to occur of (i) ten days following a public announcement
that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons have acquired
beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Shares (an
"Acquiring Person") or (ii) ten business days (or such later date as may be
determined by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as any person
or group of affiliated persons becomes an Acquiring Person) following the
commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or
exchange offer the consummation of which would result in the beneficial
ownership by a person or group of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Shares
(the earlier of such dates being called the "Distribution Date"), the Rights
will be evidenced, with respect to any of the Common Shares or Warrant
certificates outstanding as of the Record Date, by such Common Share certificate
or such Warrant certificate, as the case may be.
F-20
<PAGE> 70
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
In the event that any person or group or affiliated of associated persons
becomes an Acquiring Person, proper provision shall be made so that each holder
of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which
will thereafter be void), will thereafter have the right to receive upon
exercise--in lieu of Preferred Shares--that number of Common Shares having a
market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. At any time after any
person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and prior to the acquisition by such
person or group of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Shares, the Board of
Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by
such person or group which will have become void), in whole or in part, at an
exchange ratio of one Common Share, or one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share
(or of a share of a class or series of the Company's preferred stock having
equivalent rights, preferences and privileges), per Right (subject to
adjustment).
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends.
Warrants--Class A and B
Each of the units sold in connection with the Company's public offerings
consisted of one share of Class A Common Stock of the Company, one Class A
Warrant and one Class B Warrant. The components of the units were separately
transferable immediately. When issued, each Class A Warrant, upon its exercise,
entitled the holder to purchase one share of the Company's Class A Common Stock
and one Class B Warrant. The Class A Warrant exercise price was $6.50 per share
subject to certain adjustments. In August 1995, the Company called for
redemption of all its outstanding Class A Warrants. The redemption date set
forth in the Notice of Redemption was September 7, 1995. Approximately 4,502,000
Class A Warrants were exercised resulting in net proceeds to the Company of
approximately $28,414,000. At April 30, 1999, the Company had Class B Warrants
outstanding enabling the holders the ability to purchase approximately 8,005,000
shares of Class A Common Stock at $8.75 per share. Such warrants expired in July
1999. In addition, there were 500,000 Class B Warrants outstanding that were
issued by the Company in a 1994 bridge financing. These warrants provided the
holders the ability to purchase the underlying Class A Common Stock of the
Company at $8.75 per share and expired in July 1999.
Blair Options
At April 30, 1999 the Company had 117,500 shares of Class A Common Stock
reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Unit Purchase Option (the "Initial
Option") at an aggregate exercise price of $734,375, issued to D.H. Blair
Investment Banking Corp. ("Blair") in connection with its services as
underwriter of the Company's initial public offering; 230,550 shares of Class A
Common Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Unit Purchase Option
(the "Subsequent Option") at an aggregate exercise price of $1,033,500, issued
to Blair or its' affiliates in connection with its services as underwriter of
the Company's subsequent public offering (collectively, the Initial Option and
the Subsequent Option are referred to as the "Blair Options"); 348,050 shares of
Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of the redeemable Class
A Warrants (the "Class A Warrants") underlying the Blair Options, at an exercise
price of $6.50 per share; and 696,100 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of the Class B Warrants underlying the Blair Options, at an
exercise price of $8.75 per share. The issuable Class A Warrants and the
issuable and outstanding Class B Warrants underlying the Blair Options expired
in July 1999.
15. STOCK OPTION PLANS
In April 1994, the Company established an incentive stock option plan (the
"1994 Stock Plan") whereby 150,000 shares of Class A Common Stock have been
reserved. The options can be either incentive stock options or non-qualified
options, as defined by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code ("Section 422")
to be granted to eligible individuals. The exercise price for the incentive
stock options granted under the 1994
F-21
<PAGE> 71
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Stock Plan may not be less than the fair market value of the Class A Common
Stock on the date the option is granted.
In September 1994, the Board of Directors approved the Formula Stock Option
Plan (the "Formula Plan") whereby 50,000 shares of Class A Common Stock have
been reserved. The Formula Plan provides for the granting of options to
non-management directors of the Company. The exercise price for the incentive
stock options granted under the plan may not be less than the fair market value
of the Class A Common Stock on the date the option is granted. To date, none of
these options have been exercised.
In May 1995, the Company established an additional stock option plan (the
"1995 Plan") whereby 850,000 shares were reserved for grant to eligible
individuals to purchase Class A Common Stock of the Company. Options under the
1995 Plan may be incentive stock options or non-qualified options. The exercise
price for the incentive stock options granted under the 1995 Plan may not be
less than fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the date the option
is granted. In August 1995, options to purchase 420,000 shares were exercised by
the CEO and President of the Company.
In June 1996, the Board of Directors approved an additional stock option
plan (the "1996 Plan"). The 1996 Plan provides for the granting of options to
eligible individuals to purchase up to 820,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of
the Company. Options under the 1996 Plan may be incentive stock options or non-
qualified stock options. The exercise price for the incentive stock options
granted under the plan, may not be less than the fair market value of the Class
A Common Stock on the date the option is granted. To date, none of these options
granted under such plan have been exercised.
In January 1998, the Board of Directors approved an additional stock option
plan (the "1998 Plan"). The 1998 Plan provides for the granting of options to
eligible individuals to purchase up to 1,750,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
of the Company. Options under the 1998 Plan may be incentive stock options or
non-qualified stock options. The exercise price for the incentive stock options
granted under the plan may not be less than the fair market value of the Class A
Common Stock on the date the option is granted. To date, none of these options
have been exercised.
In August 1999, the Board of Directors approved the repricing of
approximately 1,360,000 stock options to $1.06 per share. In accordance with
FASB Interpretation No. 44 "Accounting for Certain Transactions involving Stock
Compensation in interpretation of ABP Opinion No. 25", the Company will be
required to record compensation expense over the vesting period of these options
commencing on July 1, 2000 to the extent the market value of these shares
increases.
In fiscal 1997, the Company adopted the disclosure-only provision of SFAS
No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-based Compensation." SFAS No. 123 allows companies
to continue to account for employee stock based compensation plans using the
accounting prescribed by APB Opinion 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees". The Company has elected to continue to account for employee
stock-based compensation using APB 25, making pro forma disclosure of net
earnings and earnings per share as if the fair value based method had been
applied.
Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recorded for the stock option
plans. Had compensation expense for the stock option plans been determined based
on the fair value at the date of grant for awards in fiscal 1998, 1999, and
2000, consistent with SFAS No. 123, the Company's net earnings and earnings per
share for the fiscal years shown below would have been reported as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999 2000
-------- --------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS,
EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNT)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss--pro forma......................................... $(15,700) $(111,481) $(36,614)
Basic and diluted net loss per share--pro forma............. $ (0.77) $ (3.81) $ (1.25)
</TABLE>
F-22
<PAGE> 72
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The fair market value of each option grant is estimated on the date of the
grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted
average assumptions:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999 2000
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Expected dividend yields.................................... 0% 0% 0%
Expected stock price volatility............................. 88.9% 69.5% 73.8%
Risk free interest rate..................................... 5.5% 4.6% 6.8%
Expected life of options.................................... 5 years 5 years 5 years
</TABLE>
The pro forma effect of net income and earnings per share is not
representative of the pro forma earnings in future years because it does not
take into consideration pro forma compensation expense related to grants made
prior to 1996.
The weighted average fair value for options granted during fiscal 1998,
1999 and 2000 is $1.45, $0.83 and $0.16 per share, respectively.
Option activity is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WEIGHTED
OUTSTANDING AVERAGE EXERCISE
OPTIONS PRICE PER SHARE
----------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Outstanding at April 30, 1997............................... 1,380,950 4.53
Granted................................................ 1,015,402 6.93
Exercised.............................................. -- --
Canceled............................................... (193,650) 4.49
---------
Outstanding at April 30, 1998............................. 2,202,702 5.64
Granted................................................ 174,000 1.06
Exercised.............................................. -- --
Canceled............................................... (733,202) 7.36
---------
Outstanding at April 30, 1999............................. 1,643,500 4.17
Granted................................................ 1,788,000 0.25
Exercised.............................................. -- --
Canceled............................................... (265,800) 5.09
---------
Outstanding at April 30, 2000............................. 3,165,700 0.77
---------
Exercisable at April 30, 1998............................. 1,021,578 7.85
Exercisable at April 30, 1999............................. 947,923 4.95
Exercisable at April 30, 2000............................. 1,804,835 1.06
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes information concerning currently outstanding
and exercisable options:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
REMAINING AVERAGE AVERAGE
RANGE OF OPTIONS CONTRACTED EXERCISE NUMBER EXERCISE
EXERCISE PRICES OUTSTANDING LIFE PRICE EXERCISABLE PRICE
--------------- ----------- ---------- -------- ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 to $2.50................................ 3,057,900 8.25 $0.59 1,710,927 $0.78
$2.51 to $5.00............................. 27,000 7.78 3.24 18,500 3.27
$5.01 to $7.50............................. 60,800 3.69 5.75 55,408 5.77
$7.51 to $10.00............................ 20,000 1.15 10.00 20,000 10.00
--------- ---- ----- --------- -----
$0 to $10.00............................... 3,165,700 8.11 $0.77 1,804,835 $1.06
========= ==== ===== ========= =====
</TABLE>
F-23
<PAGE> 73
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
16. ACQUISITIONS
During fiscal year 1998, the Company acquired, in one transaction 267 video
retail stores operated by an unaffiliated third party operator (the
"Acquisition"). The purchase method of accounting was used to account for the
Acquisition and the Acquisition is included in the Company's consolidated
financial statements from the date of acquisition. There were no acquisitions in
fiscal year 1999. During fiscal year 2000, the Company acquired one retail store
previously operated by a Video Update franchisee (see Note 10 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements). The purchase method of accounting was used
to record this transaction, the pro forma impact of which was not material.
The aggregate purchase price of the Acquisition totaled approximately
$83,458,900 included approximately $50,171,200 in assumed indebtedness,
approximately $5,087,500 in transaction costs, and 9,303,927 shares of Class A
Common Stock valued at approximately $28,200,200. The excess of the cost over
the estimated fair value of the assets acquired (goodwill) of approximately
$46,291,000 is being amortized over 20 years on a straight-line basis.
The following unaudited pro forma information presents the consolidated
results of operations of the Company as if the fiscal year 1998 acquisition had
been completed at the beginning of the year in which the acquisition occurred.
There were no acquisitions in fiscal 1999. In the opinion of the Company's
management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly such pro forma summary
have been made based on the terms and structure of the transactions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1998
-------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER
SHARE DATA)
<S> <C>
Revenues................................................ $248,134
Net loss................................................ (28,562)
Basic net loss per share................................ (0.98)
Diluted net loss per share.............................. $ (0.98)
</TABLE>
During fiscal 1998, cash deficiency payments were made with regard to one
acquisition in the amount of $1,327,000. In addition, in fiscal 1998, 65,750
shares placed in escrow as a result of an acquisition were cancelled.
In connection with an acquisition that the Company completed in fiscal
1996, the Company was obligated to make deficiency payments to the sellers equal
to the difference between a guaranteed price for each share issued, and the
actual market price obtained for such shares as of specified dates. During
fiscal 1999, deficiency payments of approximately $181,000 were made with
respect to this acquisition and in June 1999 a final payment of approximately
$71,000 (including approximately $60,000 for deficiency payments) was made in
full settlement of all obligations related to the sellers.
The Company is currently disputing a deficiency payment allegedly due with
respect to 239,163 shares which were issued to a seller in the Videoland
acquisition in 1995 (see Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements); the seller is claiming a deficiency payment of approximately
$1,220,000 based on proceeds from the sale of Class A Common Stock during the
six month period of March 1996 to September 1996. The Company has the option of
satisfying approximately $1,220,000 (with respect to 239,163 shares) through the
issuance of additional shares of Class A Common Stock.
F-24
<PAGE> 74
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
17. GEOGRAPHIC BUSINESS OPERATIONS
The Company owns and operates retail video stores in the United States and
in Canada. A summary of the Company's operations by geographic area is presented
for fiscal 1998, 1999, and 2000. All inter-company revenues and expenses have
been eliminated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPERATING LONG-LIVED
REVENUES INCOME (LOSS) ASSETS
-------- ------------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Fiscal 1998
United States........................... $116,958 $(17,579) $150,061
Canada.................................. 39,196 1,346 26,560
-------- -------- --------
$156,154 $(16,233) $176,621
======== ======== ========
Fiscal 1999
United States........................... $212,980 $(81,748) $ 97,268
Canada.................................. 41,116 (12,777) 13,560
-------- -------- --------
$254,096 $(94,525) $110,828
======== ======== ========
Fiscal 2000
United States........................... $181,599 $(20,920) $ 72,886
Canada.................................. 39,363 1,889 11,007
-------- -------- --------
$220,962 $(19,031) $ 83,893
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK AND FAIR VALUE OF
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company is party to a swap agreement with off-balance-sheet risk which
is entered into in the normal course of business to meet its financing needs and
to manage its exposure to fluctuations in market rates. The swap agreement
involves, to a varying degree, elements of credit and market risk in addition to
amounts recognized in the financial statements. The Company does not hold or
issue financial instruments for trading purposes.
The swap agreement is a contract to exchange fixed and floating payments
periodically over the life of the agreements without the exchange of the
underlying notional amounts. The notional amounts of the agreement is used to
measure amounts to be paid or received and do not represent the amount of the
exposure to credit loss. The amounts to be paid or received under the swap
agreement is accrued consistently with the terms of the agreement and market
rates. The agreement is with a major financial institution which is currently
expected to fully perform under the terms of the agreement. The Company
continuously monitors the credit rating of the counter-party, and the likelihood
of default is considered remote.
The notional amount of the variable-to-fixed swap agreement as of April 30,
2000 is $4,920,000 which will be in effect beginning April 30, 2000, with a pay
rate of 5.94% and a receive rate based on three month LIBOR. The agreement
expires April 2001.
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<PAGE> 75
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company's swap
instrument at April 30, 2000 is as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CARRYING FAIR
AMOUNT(A) VALUE(A)
--------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Swap agreement expiring April 2001........................ $0 $49
</TABLE>
------------
(A) Carrying amount represents accrued payments under the swap agreement. The
fair value represents the estimated amount that the Company would pay to the
counter-party to terminate the swap agreement at April 30, 2000.
19. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
Subsequent to the issuance of the Company's interim financial statements
for the period ended January 31, 2000, the Company's management determined that
previously accrued store closing reserve and previously recorded asset
impairments were inappropriately reversed within the third quarter. As a result,
net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2000 was overstated by approximately
$685,000. Accordingly, the results of operations for the third quarter of fiscal
2000 have been restated from the amounts previously reported. Selected quarterly
financial data is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL 1999 1ST QUARTER 2ND QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 4TH QUARTER
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenue........................................... $61,693 $ 62,184 $70,692 $ 59,527
Operating income (loss)(1)........................ (3,075) (9,514) 1,160 (83,096)
Net loss.......................................... (6,478) (12,629) (2,123) (89,141)
Basic and diluted loss per share.................. $ (0.22) $ (0.43) $ (0.07) $ (3.05)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
3RD QUARTER
PREVIOUSLY 3RD QUARTER
FISCAL 2000 1ST QUARTER 2ND QUARTER REPORTED AS RESTATED 4TH QUARTER
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenue................................ $60,064 $54,487 $57,468 $57,468 $ 48,943
Operating income (loss)................ 2,086 (5,085) 5,178 4,493 (20,525)
Net income (loss)...................... (1,864) (9,749) 1,058 373 (24,909)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per
share................................ $ (0.06) $ (0.33) $ 0.04 $ 0.01 (0.85)
</TABLE>
------------
(1) Certain reclassifications have been made to conform with the 2000 fiscal
year-end presentation.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company decreased the
carrying value of video and game rental inventory and merchandise inventory by
approximately $3,000,000 as a result of a complete annual physical count and
valuation. This annual counting and pricing was more comprehensive than that
which had been conducted on an interim basis. As a result of inventory
adjustments, the Company increased store operating expenses by approximately
$3,000,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000. The Company is not able to
determine the periods of the fiscal year to which these inventory adjustments
relate.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company recorded impairment
charges of $7,354,000 and $4,314,000 related to goodwill and fixed assets,
respectively, as a result of a strategic review of its prior acquisitions and
operations (see Notes 5 and 8 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements).
20. LITIGATION
In connection with the acquisition of the assets of Videoland, Inc.
("Videoland") in November 1995, the Company issued 239,163 shares of its Class A
Common Stock (the "Videoland Shares") to the sellers of the
F-26
<PAGE> 76
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
assets of Videoland (the "Videoland Sellers"). With respect to the Videoland
Shares, the Company agreed to make a deficiency payment in October 1996 to the
Videoland Sellers if the gross proceeds received by such sellers from the sale
of the Videoland Shares during the six months from March 1996 through September
1996 is not equal to the number of Videoland Shares sold multiplied by $12.00.
The Videoland Sellers were subject to certain "lockup" or sale restrictions as a
condition to any deficiency payment. The Company initiated an action in federal
district court in Minnesota for a declaratory judgment that the Videoland
Sellers are not entitled to any deficiency payment in light of the failure by
such sellers to comply with the lockup or sale restrictions. In January 1998,
the court entered a judgment, payable in the Company's stock or cash, against
the Company in the amount of $1,220,403 plus interest from October 1996, and
attorney's fees; which is recorded in the consolidated balance sheets. The
Company appealed the judgment to the Eighth Circuit. The appeal was denied. The
Company is exploring further avenues of relief, including but not limited to the
satisfaction of a portion of the judgment by a transfer of the Company's stock.
A variety of aspects of such a settlement are now subject to litigation in the
federal district court of Minnesota, the outcome of which no assurances can be
given.
In May 1998, Rousnam Video, Inc., a Michigan corporation and Hani (Al)
Monsour (collectively "Monsour") filed a lawsuit in state court (Macomb County,
Michigan) claiming amounts due pursuant to post-closing adjustments contemplated
in connection with an Asset Purchase Agreement among Monsour and Moovies, Inc.
dated as of March 14, 1997, and the alleged default on a Promissory Note among
Monsour and Moovies, Inc. in the amount of $2,000,000. The trial court has ruled
in favor of the plaintiffs on a motion for summary judgment, and a judgment for
$2,370,195 has been entered against the Company. The $2,000,000 note is recorded
in notes payable and the remaining judgement of $370,195 is recorded in accrued
expenses on the consolidated balance sheet at April 30, 2000. The Company
believes it has meritorious grounds for its appeal which is currently pending,
although assurances cannot be given as to the outcome of such action.
In August 1998, the Company filed suit in federal court in Oregon against
Rentrak Corporation, an Oregon Corporation. The Company alleges that Rentrak has
violated the federal antitrust law, given Rentrak's position in the market and
its exercise of monopoly power. Rentrak has counter-claimed for amounts it
alleges were owed by Moovies, Inc. prior to the acquisition of Moovies, Inc. by
the Company and for amounts it claims are due under a contract with the Company;
the Company has denied that such contract is valid or that any sums are due.
Fact discovery in the matter is now largely completed. As of April 30, 2000 the
Company believes that it has adequately provided for its exposure under this
litigation.
During fiscal 2000, the Company had favorable settlements in certain
litigation matters with two vendors. As part of each settlement, the Company
converted trade payables to these vendors to structured note payables of
$1,336,000 and $6,500,000, respectively, (see Note 9 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements) and recorded approximately $1,700,000 and
$1,200,000, respectively, as a reduction of selling, general and administrative
expense and as an adjustment of estimated liabilities in the consolidated
financial statements.
Also in fiscal 2000, the Company recorded a loss of approximately
$1,600,000 resulting from a judgment on appeal in a legal matter with a vendor.
The Company believes it has meritorious grounds for success and continues to
pursue other avenues of relief.
The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings arising during
the normal course of conducting business. Management believes that the
resolution of these proceedings will not have any material adverse impact on the
Company's financial statements.
21. CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR-END
In January 2000, the Company's Board of Directors approved a resolution
changing the Company's fiscal year end from April 30 to January 31, effective
January 31, 2001.
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